MEMOIRS 


OF  THE 


REBELLION 


ON 


THE  BORDER,  1863, 


BY 


WILEY  BRITTON, 


Late  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry. 


CHICAGO: 
1  GUSHING,  THOMAS  &  CO.,  PUBLISHERS. 

1882. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1882,  by 

CUSHING,  THOMAS  &  UO. 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DEDICATED  BY  THE  AUTHOR  TO  THE  MEMORY 

OF  THE  DECEASED  OFFICERS  AND  SOLDIERS,  AND  TO 

THE     SURVIVING    OFFICERS    AND    SOLDIERS, 

WHO  SERVED  IN  THE  FEDERAL  ARMY 

ON  THE  BORDER  DURING  THE 

LATE    WAR     OF     THE 

REBELLION. 


975787 


PREFACE, 


DURING  the  year  1863, 1  chronicled  the  v^r^ons  j 
mentioned  in  the  following  pages,  just  *s  favrwi* 
pressed  me  by  actual  observation,  or  by  authorities 
deemed  reliable.  Though  my  manuscript  contained 
all  the  facts  here  presented,  except  a  few  notes  made 
from  official  data,  I  have  never  considered  it  in  suita 
ble  shape  for  publication.  In  rewriting  it,  I  have 
stricken  out  certain  criticisms  and  passages  hastily  set 
down  in  camp  or  on  the  march,  and  I  hope  that  I  have 
improved  the  expression  in  various  ways.  I  have  en 
deavored  to  make  the  work  a  panoramic  view  of 
military  operations  and  events  on  the  borders  of  Mis 
souri,  Kansas,  Arkansas  and  the  Indian  Territory  dur 
ing  the  year  1863.  Eighteen  years  have  now  elapsed 
since  I  collected  the  material  from  which  my  Memoirs 
are  written,  and  I  have  not  as  yet  met  with  a  single 
book  pretending  to  give  any  kind  of  an  account  of 


10  PREFACE. 

the  military  operations  of  our  army  for  any  one  year 
during  the  rebellion,  in>that  portion  of  the  Trans-Mis 
sissippi  region  mentioned  in  the  following  chapters. 
Though  one  might,  by  rummaging  the  archives  of  the 
War  Department,  get  material  enough  out  of  general 
orders  and  official  reports  of  battles,  skirmishes,  etc., 
in  that  region,  to  enable  him  to  write  a  small  volume, 
he  would  get  very  little  of  the  kind  of  material 
that  I  collected.  I  noted  not  only  the  movements 
,of  the  arm-}*  :with  which  I  was  connected,  and  the 
bat^lee- .  arid  minor  engagements  which  it  fought, 
ftut'I  alfco' •  turned  aside  now  and  then  to  note  a 
good  many  other  things  ;  as,  for  instance,  the 
thoughts  and  feelings  of  the  soldiers  on  various  sub 
jects,  as  reflected  in  their  conversations  around  their 
camp  fires  and  on  the  march.  I  have  also  given  short 
descriptions  of  the  country  we  marched  over  and  around 
our  camps;  the  pro  and  con  opinions  of  officers  and 
soldiers  in  regard  to  the  policy  of  the  Government,  in 
emancipating  the  slaves  and  of  enlisting  the  freedmen 
into  the  army.  And  on  several  occasions  I  give  a  mo 
ment's  thought  to  natural  phenomena,  which  were  sub 
jects  of  conversation  in  the  camp. 

The  critical  reader  may,  perhaps,  think  that  I  have 
in  one  instance  purposely  arranged  my  composition 


PKEFACE.  1 1 

to  show  that  "  coming  events  cast  their  shadows  be 
fore."  But  I  have  not.  The  facts,  however,  show  that 
they  sometimes  do.  Gen.  Shelby's  raid  through  Mis 
souri  in  October,  1863,  affords  an  example.  The  ap 
proaching  storm  was  indicated  nearly  a  week  before 
the  invasion  by  the  main  force  took  place,  and  we  are 
almost  made  to  hear  the  distant  rumbling  of  artillery 
carriages  and  caissons,  and  the  faint  tramping  of  march 
ing  squadrons. 

Should  it  be  asked  why  I  have  allowed  eighteen 
years  to  elapse  before  printing  my  chronicles,  I  reply 
because  I  felt  that  they  should  have  a  more  careful  and 
critical  revision  than  I  have  been  able  to  give  them  un 
til  lately,  before  going  to  the  public.  A  literary  com 
position  even  of  this  kind,  like  other  art  compositions, 
as  in  painting  and  sculpture,  for  instance,  is  always 
susceptible  of  improvement  in  the  manner  of  presen 
tation,  without  affecting  its  truthfulness  in  regard  to 
the  matter  treated  of.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  much 
more  trimming  and  pruning  might  have  been  done  to 
good  advantage. 

I  felt  such  an  interest  in  the  anti-slavery  cause  be 
fore  the  war,  that  Kansas,  to  me,  always  meant  a  prin 
ciple,  and  I  left  home  at  an  early  age  to  join  the  Free 
State  party.  It  was,  therefore,  a  real  pleasure  to  me  to 


12  PREFACE. 

chronicle  everything  that  I  thought  would  be  of  in 
terest  in  the  future  pertaining  to  Kansas  soldiers  in  the 
war.  At  the  same  time  I  endeavored  to  do  full  justice 
to  the  soldiers  of  other  States  serving  with  us  in  that 
section. 

Though,  no  doubt,  I  always  clearly  show  where  my 
sympathies  lie  in  the  discussion  of  any  given  question, 
yet  I  do  not  believe  that  I  have,  in  any  instance,  dis 
played  strong  partisan  bias.  Nor  have  I  been  tempt 
ed  to  write  anything  for  the  purpose  of  producing  a 
sensation. 

Future  generations  of  that  portion  of  the  Trans- 
Mississippi  country  covered  by  my  Memoirs  will 
doubtless  wish  to  know  what  part,  if  any,  the  people 
took  in  the  Great  War  of  the  Eebellion.  But  there 
has  been,  as  yet,  very  little  published  in  permanent 
and  accessible  form ,  from  which  they  will  be  able  to 
obtain  the  desired  information,  although  nearly  all  the 
able-bodied  men  were  in  the  Federal  and  Confederate 
armies,  and  the  storms  of  war  raged  furiously  over  that 
section.  A  few  sketches  of  one  or  two  campaigns  have 
been  written,  but  mere  sketches  are  evanescent  and  pass 
away  in  a  generation.  I  hope  that  I  have  done  some 
thing  towards  filling  up  the  hiatus  which  exists  during 
the  period  of  the  most  exciting  events  in  our  history. 


PREFACE.  13 

If  the  reader  will  endeavor  to  pat  himself  in  my 
place  during  the  period  covered  by  my  memoirs,  he 
will  then  see  the  marches,  battles,  skirmishes,  recon- 
noissances,  reviews,  etc.,  as  I  saw  them.  As  he  passes 
about  the  camp  alone  from  time  to  time,  he  will  see 
refugees,  men,  women  and  children,  of  almost  every 
conceivable  color  and  condition,  except  that  none  of 
them  appear  to  be  provided  with  much  of  this  world's 
goods  and  means  of  happiness.  Passing  to  the 
hospitals,  he  will  see  the  sick  and  wounded,  men 
bleeding  and  mangled  and  torn  by  shot  and  shell,  by 
small  arms,  and  by  the  cuts  and  thrusts  of  swords  and 
bayonets ;  he  will  see  them  bearing  wounds,  from  the 
slightest  contusions  to  limbs  torn  from  their  bodies; 
he  will  hear  men  groaning  and  pleading  to  die,  that 
they  may  be  relieved  from  their  intense  suffering;  he 
will  hear  others,  with  piteous  expressions  upon  their 
quivering  lips,  praying  to  be  taken  to  their  homes  to 
die  surrounded  by  their  families  and  friends;  he 
will  see  comrades  who,  but  a  few  days  before, 
were  beaming  with  health  and  buoyant  with 
life  and  hope,  with  the  dark  shadows  of  death 
seizing  upon  their  countenances;  and  the  grief- 
stricken  forms  of  the  .de>i*'  ones  these  noble  men 
left  behind,  when  they  staked  their  lives  in  de- 


14:  PREFACE. 

fense  of  their  country  and  their  homes,  will  rise 
up  before  him. 

But  passing  from  these  scenes  of  death  and  woe,  his 
mind  is  permitted  to  dwell  upon  other  subjects  less 
gloomy,  and  which  tend  to  make  the  heart  glad  instead 
of  making  it  ache.  On  the  march  and  under  clear 
blue  skies,  he  will  cross  silver-eddying  streams  or 
mountain-brooks  leaping  and  splashing  and  foaming 
along.  And  by  the  wayside  he  will  drink  from  crystal 
springs  bubbling  out  of  the  earth,  as  beautiful  as  spark 
ling  fountains.  The  scenes  are  constantly  changing, 
and  always  interesting  to  anyone  of  healthy  mind  and 
body;  and  he  will  see  landscapes  of  every  conceivable 
variety,  from  the  forest-covered  mountains  and  hills  of 
Arkansas  to  the  grass-covered  prairies  and  plains  of 
Kansas,  and  from  the  deep  green  of  spring  to  the  rich 
and  variegated  tints  of  autumn,  and  the  snow-covered 
ground  of  winter. 

It  is  proper  that  I  should  express  my  indebtedness 
to  Captain  William  Gallaher,  Colonel  Phillips' 
Assistant  Adjutant-General,  for  many  kindnesses  and 
courtesies  in  connection  with  the  writing  of  my  Memoirs 
while  we  were  attached  to  the  Indian  division.  And 
during  the  latter  part  d&  the  year  I  received  from 
General  C.  W.  Blair,  the  'commanding  officer  of  the 


PREFACE.  15 

post  of  Fort  Scott  and  the  District  of  Southern 
Kansas,  many  acts  of  kindness  and  words  of  encour 
agement,  for  which  I  feel  under  deep  obligations  to 
him.  As  he  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  orators 
in  the  State,  and  a  man  of  rare  culture  and  refinement, 
I  have  always  considered  myself  fortunate  that  I  made 
his  acquaintance,  and  was  permitted  to  regard  him  as 
my  friend.  I  have  never  met  any  one  who  came 
nearer  my  ideal  of  the  perfectly  accomplished  gentle 
man  than  General  Blair. 

It  will  perhaps  be  thought  by  some  that  I  have 
given  undue  prominence  to  the  operations  of  Colonel 
Phillips'  division.  But  I  think  that  any  one  who  will 
follow  the  operations  of  this  division,  will  agree  with 
me  that  I  have  not  magnified  its  achievements  or 
overestimated  the  merits  of  its  commander.  Consid 
ering  the  number  and  kind  of  troops  with  which  -he 
had  to  operate,  and  the  long  line  of  communication  he 
had  to  keep  open  from  his  advanced  position,  there 
was  not  perhaps  another  officer  in  our  army  who 
accomplished  so  much  with  a  single  division  of 
troops. 

I  hope  that  I  have  made  the  work  worthy  of  being 
welcomed  by  the  young  men  and  women  who  have 
grown  up  since  the  war,  and  who  desire  to  become  ac- 


16  PREFACE. 

quainted  with  the  great  events  in  which  their  fathers 
participated.  To  thus  commemorate  the  grand  achieve 
ments  of  the  men  with  whom  I  served,  has  afforded 
me  real  pleasure,  for  I  felt  that  never  before  have  the 
soldiers  engaged  in  a  great  struggle  deserved  such  a 
measure  of  gratitude  of  future  generations  as  those 
whose  heroic  actions  I  have  recorded. 

WILEY  BKITTON. 
Washington,  D.  <7.,  May, 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  I. 

Resume  of  the  operations  of  the  Army  under  Gen.  Blunt  during 
the  last  three  months  of  1862— The  battles  of  Newtonia  and 
Maysville  mentioned — The  charge  led  by  Capt.  S.  J.  Craw 
ford,  Second  Kansas  Cavalry,  and  capture  of  Gen.  Cooper's 
Artillery— The  battle  of  Cane  Hill— Brave  charge  of  Col. 
Lewis  R.  Jewell,  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry — His  mortal  wound 
and  death — Remarks  on  his  character — After  the  battle  of 
Cane  Hill,  Gen-  Blunt  orders  his  trains  to  R-hea's  Mills — Cour 
iers  sent  to  Gen.  Herron  to  bring  forward  his  Division  on  a 
forced  march — Strength  of  the  two  divisions— Strength  of 
Gen.  Hindman's  Army — Battle  of  Prairie  Grove  described — 
It  lasts  until  after  dark — Furious  charging  of  the  Infantry — 
Terrific  artillery  fire — Gen.  Hindman  defeated,  and  retreats  to 
Van  Buren — Gen.  Blunt's  trains  ordered  to  Fayetleville — 
Burying  the  dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded — Concluding 
Remarks. . .  33 


18  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  II. 

General  Blunt's  trains  return  to  Rhea's  Mills  from  Fayetteville — 
Resources  of  the  country  around  Rhea's  Mills — Furnishes 
forage  for  the  cavalry  and  transportation  animals — Native  ani 
mals  stand  the  service  better  in  that  section  than  animals 
brought  from  the  north — Preparations  for  the  expedition  to 
Van  Buren — Incidental  reflections — The  expedition  on  the 
march — Crossing  and  recrossing  the  raging,  foaming  and 
splashing  mountain  stream  thirty-nine  times — An  unpleasant 
march  for  the  infantry — The  troops  bivouac  by  this  stream — 
The  march  resumed — An  outpost  of  the  enemy  struck  by  the 
Federal  Cavalry  advance — The  chase— Battle  Dripping  Springs 
—Federal  charge  on  the  enemy's  camp — Flight  of  the  enemy  to 
Van  Buren — Federal  pursuit — Capture  of  Van  Buren — Burn 
ing  of  steamboats  and  supplies — Artillery  duel  across  the  Ar 
kansas  River — The  enemy  shell  their  own  city — Return  to 
Rhea's  Mills 52 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  First  Division  Army  of  the  Frontier  moves  from  Rhea's  Mills 
to  Elm  Springs — All  the  Federal  wounded  in  the  Field  Hos 
pitals  at  Prairie  Grove  removed  to  Fayetteville — General 
Blunt  Relieved  and  starts  North — General  Schofield  takes 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier — Future  Operations  to 
be  conducted  according  to  West  Point  tactics — The  Army  to 
retreat  to  the  Missouri  line — Reorganization  of  the  Army — 
Colonel  W.  A.  Phillips  to  command  the  Indian  Division— A 
Battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry  and  Captain  Hopkin's 
Battery  to  go  with  it — Grand  Review  of  the  Army  of  the 


CONTENTS.  19 

Frontier  by  General  Schofield— The  author's  last  visit  to  his 
brother  in  the  General  Hospital  at  Fayetteville— The  Reduc 
tion  of  Transportation— Order  from  War  Department  for 
Recruiting  several  loyal  Arkansas  Regiments— General 
Marmaduke  marching  on  Springfield— The  Army  of  the 
Frontier  on  the  march,  except  the  Indian  Division...  74 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Colonel  W.  A.  Phillips  assumes  command  of  the  Indian  division — 
The  author  to  go  with  it— The  division  marches  to  Maysville 
on  the  western  line  of  Arkansas — A  skirmish  with  guerrillas — 
A  snow  storm  and  difficulty  in  getting  forage— Colonel  Phillips, 
not  only  a  military  commander  but  also  a  governor  of  several 
Indian  tribes— His  position  requires  great  executive  ability 
— Skirmishes  with  guerrillas  becoming  frequent — Bush 
whackers  living  in  a  cave — Remarks  on  how  caves  are  formed 
— How  Stalactites  are  formed — How  stalacmitic  matter  may 
preserve  to  distant  ages  in  the  future  some  account  of  the 
war — In  a  few  years  all  external  evidences  of  the  war  will 
have  disappeared — Description  of  the  country  and  of  its 
resources — Colored  refugees  increasing — Their  destitute  con 
dition — Col.  Phillips'  orders — Repairing  of  the  mills — The 
battle  at  Springfield— Gen.  Marmaduke  defeated 88 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  author  at  Neosho,  Missouri,  for  a  few  days— Ante-bellum  times 

and  reminiscences — Description  of  the  town The    Grand 

Falls  and  water-power  mills  in  the  country — Fertility  of  the 


20  CONTENTS. 

soil  on  the  river  bottoms — Fencing  which  enclosed  most  of 
the  farms  destroyed — About  half  the  people  loyal — Indiscrimi 
nate  destruction  of  property  condemned — A  double  sacrifice 
put  upon  Missouri  loyalists — A  picture  of  desolated  homes — 
Guerrilla  warfare  and  Federal  losses  in  the  State — The  Militia 
•  occupying  Newtonia  and  fortifying  it — Their  efficiency — 
Mostly  State  troops  that  opposed  General  Marmaduke  at  the 
battle  of  Springfield  on  the  9th — Flag  raising  at  Neosho — 
The  National  Flag  scornfully  regarded  by  rebels — Geurrillas 
at  Granby — The  rich  lead  mines  there,  but  no  longer  worked 
— Author  informed  of  the  death  of  his  brother  at  Fayetteville 
— A  mother's  picture  of  a  united  family 107 

CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Author's  return  to  his  division  at  Scott's  Mills — Colonel  Phil 
lips'  popularity  with  his  troops — Rebels  returning  and  taking 
the  oath  of  allegiance — Indians  make  good  troops  to  fight 
bushwhackers — Increase  of  wild  game  since  the  war — A  de 
tachment  of  Federal  troops  worsted  in  a  skirmish  with  guer 
rillas — Captain  Conkey  loses  eleven  men  by  capture— Guer 
rilla  chieftains  commissioned  by  the  Rebel  authorities — Com 
ments  on  plans  proposed  by  some  to  break  up  the  guerrilla 
warfare — Sickness  and  heavy  mortality  among  the  Indian 
Refugees  at  Neosho — Sick  and  wounded  being  removed  from 
Fayetteville  to  Fort  Scott — The  classes  of  the  enemy  the  Fed 
erals  have  to  deal  with — Bushwhackers — Guerrillas — Detach 
ments  returning  to  and  leaving  the  State— The  regular  forces 
in  our  front — Illustrations — Incidents  from  the  Expedition  to 
LoneJack— The  battle  of  Coon  Creek— Concluding  remarks 
on  the  Indians 125 


CONTENTS.  21 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Indian  Division  moves  to  Pineville,  Mo- -Remarks  on  the 
physical  aspect  of  the  country  and  its  resources — Few  dep 
redations  committed  considering  the  general  character  and 
condition  of  the  refugee  camp-followers — The  President's 
Emancipation  Proclamation — A  good  many  officers  and 
soldiers  opposed  to  it — It  is  a  military  necessity — It  is  just 
and  is  warmly  commended — The  Government  will  soon  have 
colored  troops  in  the  field — Colonel  Phillips'  brother  wounded 
— Colonel  Judson's  brigade  at  Mount  Vernon — The  Indian 
division  marches  to  Bentonville,  Arkansas — Description  ot 
the  country — Rebel  prisoners  sent  to  Springfield— They  were 
brought  in  by  loyal  Arkansas  troops — A  meteor  of  great 
brightnsss  observed — Reflections  on  sidereal  wcfrlds  and 
meteoric  displays — The  Indian  Delegation  go  to  Wash 
ington 145 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Colonel  Phillips  invited  to  address  a  Mass  Meeting  of  the  Union 
Citizens  of  Northwestern  Arkansas,  at  Fayetteville — The  great 
difficulty  in  getting  Forage — A  Scouting  Party  returns  from 
Van  Buren — The  Indian  Division  encamped  on  the  edge  of  the 
Battle  Field  of  Pea  Ridge — An  account  of  the  Battle  from  data 
collected  on  the  Field  and  from  Eye  Witnesses— Rebel  raid 
on  Neosho  and  Capture  of  Negroes — A  Deserter  from  the 
Enemy  gives  Position  and  strength  of  their  forces— The  Ene 
my's  wounded  from  Prairie  Grove  at  Cane  Hill  still — Great 
Mortality  among  them— Skirmish  with  Bush  whackers — Arri 
val  of  Forage  Trains  from  White  River— Horses  eat  each 


22  CONTENTS. 

others  Manes  and  Tails  off— The  Small -pox  among  the  Indi 
ans — Very  few  of  them  Vaccinated— Only  a  few  cases  among 
the  White  Soldiers— Remarks  on  the  Disease— The  Govern 
ment  should  stock  a  farm  with  Animals  to  furnish  Vaccine 
Virus  for  the  Army 161 

CHAPTER  XI. 

The  march  to  Camp  Moonlight — Captain  Mefford,  Sixth  Kansas 
Cavalry,  defeats  Livingston's  band — Grass  sufficient  for  graz 
ing  purposes  about  Fort  Gibson — Supply  train  reinforced — 
A  bushwhacker  killed  near  camp — The  people  should  be 
better  informed  by  proclamation  of  the  Federal  purposes — 
Officers  for  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  Indian  regiments  report  to 
Colonel  Phillips— No  such  regiments  exist — Criticisms  con 
cerning  the  matter — Near  Rhea's  Mills  again — Two  loyal  Ar 
kansas  regiments  organized — After  a  battle  the  people  show 
on  which  side  their  sympathies  are  by  their  expressions— The 
people  of  a  less  haughty  spirit  than  in  Missouri — Reconnois- 
sance  returned  from  Dutch  Mills — Women  and  children  raise 
their  own  foodstuffs— The  soldiers  exchange  their  surplus 
rations  for  butter,  eggs,  &c — The  Army  ration — A  party  of 
Union  men  arrive  from  Texas — They  were  hunted  by  the 
enemy  with  blood  hounds 179 


CHAPTER  X. 

April  Fool's  day— Seven  Pin  Indians  killed  at  Park  Hill,  C.  N., 
by  the  enemy  in  federal  uniform — The  march  to  Cincinnati 
on  the  State  line — War  paint  and  yelping  of  the  Indians  when 


CONTENTS.  23 

they  start  out — Commendable  conduct  of  the  Indian  soldiers 
while  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas— The  division  crosses  the 
line  into  the  Indian  country — On  the  march  to  Park  Hill — 
The  country  becomes  more  inviting  and  the  vegetation  more 
advanced — Rebel  scouting  party  near  Fayetteville— Arrival  at 
Park  Hill  and  meeting  of  the  Indian  refugee  families  from 
Neosho — Great  manifestations  of  joy  and  affecting  scenes — 
Standwaitie  commanding  the  rebel  Indians — Colonel  Phillips 
sends  out  a  strong  reconnoissance — Webber's  Falls— He 
drives  the  enemy  into  the  Arkansas  River  and  takes  Fort 
Gibson — Description  of  the  place — Its  importance — The 
beautiful  Grand  and  Verdigris  Rivers 197 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Fort  Gibson  the  Key  to  the  Indian  country — The  enemy  show 
ing  signs  of  activity — The  troops  at  Gibson  commence  to 
build  bake  ovens — Anxiety  for  the  supply  train — Creek 
Indians  coming  in — The  enemy  concentrating  at  Webber's 
Falls — Celebrating  the  event  of  hoisting  the  United  States 
Flag  at  Fort  Gibson— A  sad  accident — Arrival  of  supply  train 
from  Fort  Scott — Part  of  Keosho  burned — The  enemy  attack 
Fayetteville  and  are  defeated— A  young  man  as  a  spy  caught 
dressed  in  a  woman's  suit — The  troops  commence  to  throw  up 
fortifications  at  Fort  Gibson— Strength  of  the  Federal  posi 
tion — Engagement  at  Webber's  Falls— Capture  of  the  enemy's 
camp — Assassination  of  Dr.  Gillpatrick — Arrival  of  rebel 
officers  under  a  flag  of  truce — They  are  on  business  in  connec 
tion  with  exchanging  of  prisoners — Reconnoissance  of  Colonel 
Schaurte  to  the  Arkansas  line — Colonel  Harrison  abandons 
Fayetteville — Colonel  Phillips  reviews  his  division 213 


24:  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

The  author  sent  with  dispatches  to  Colonel  Harrison  at  Cassville, 
Missouri — The  first  night's  march  in  a  storm  of  thunder  and 
lightning — The  next  morning  on  the  battle-ground  of  Locust 
Grove — Account  of  the  battle  and  of  the  capture  of  Colonel 
Clarkson's  command — Passing  over  the  ground  of  an  exciting 
chase  of  last  year — Camp  in  the  forest — On  the  look-out  for 
the  enemy — In  Missouri— Arrival  at  Cassville — Detention 
at  Cassville— The  troops  there  daily  expecting  to  be  at 
tacked — Large  number  of  troops,  including  the  State  militia, 
in  Southwest  Missouri — Activity  of  the  militia — The  First 
Kansas  colored  infantry  organized,  and  at  Baxter  Springs — 
Remarks  on  arming  the  freedmen — Many  small  tracts  being 
cultivated  in  Missouri — By  whom — On  the  march  to  Fort 
Gibson — A  fight  with  Guerillas  —Stopping  in  a  lonely  re 
treat — Return  to  Fort  Gibson. 231 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  enemy  occupying  the  heights  south  of  the  Arkansas  River  in 
sight  of  Fort  Gibson — Picket  firing  across  the  river  all  day 
long — Strength  of  General  Cooper's  force — He  is  preparing  to 
capture  Colonel  Phillips'  supply  train — Name  of  post  of  Fort 
Gibson  changed  to  Fort  Blunt — Colonel  Phillips  contending 
single-handed  with  two  Generals  of  the  enemy — Hard  ser 
vice  for  the  cavalry — Capture  of  horses  and  mules  from  the 
enemy — Activity  in  the  enemy's  camp — The  enemy  kill  the 
Federal  pickets,  and  capture  a  good  many  animals — The  bat 
tle — Enemy  driven  from  the  field  and  pursued — Recapture  of 
some  animals — Large  force  of  the  enemy  cross  the  Arkansas 


CONTENTS.  25 

River,  and  march  to  meet  the  Federal  supply  train — Convales 
cent  soldiers  coming  in  from  Tahlequah — The  troops  move 
inside  the  fortifications  at  Fort  Gibson— The  engagement  at 
Eapid  Ford,  Sunday  afternoon — Colonel  Phillips  intended  the 
movement  only  as  a  demonstration 251 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  enemy  makes  a  night  attack  on  the  Federal  supply  train — 
Gallant  charge  led  by  Colonel  Phillips,  and  total  route  of  the 
enemy — Only  a  sutler's  wagon  partially  plundered — The 
enemy  had  another  force  which  failed  to  co-operate — The  pay 
master  paying  off  the  troops— The  Government  should  adopt 
a  system  to  enable  officers  and  soldiers  to  send  their  money 
home — Activity  noticed  in  the  enemy's  camp  again — The 
Arkansas  River  rising — Friendly  conversations  between  Fed 
eral  and  Rebel  Pickets — The  Federal  supply  train  returns  to 
Fort  Scott  with  a  heavy  escort — Engagement  between  Living 
ston  and  the  colored  troops  at  Baxter  Springs — The  enemy 
anxious  to  know  if  the  colored  regiment  is  coming  down — A 
woman  takes  one  of  the  enemy's  horses  and  comes  into  the 
Fort — Colonel  Phillips  to  be  reinforced — Skirmish  near  Park 
Hill — Standwaitie's  Indians  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
Nation. 266 

CHAPTER  XV. 

An  agreement  in  regard  to  the  cessation  of  picket  firing — Mostly 
young  men  in  the  army — They  have  no  Alcestis  to  die  for 
them — General  Cooper's  army  moves  back  twenty  miles, 
perhaps  to  find  better  grazing — A  rebel  reconnoitering  force 


26  CONTENTS. 

west  of  the  Fort—General  Cabell's  force  near  Cincinnati — 
The  Indians  harvesting — The  wheat  crop  good,  what  there  is 
of  it — Major  Foreman  after  Standwaitie— Engagement  on 
Green  Leaf  prairie — The  enemy  finally  driven  from  the  field 
— Federal  and  Rebel  pickets  in  swimming  together — The 
Federals  exchange  coffee  for  tobacco— Desertion  of  rebej 
soldiers — Rebel  discipline  believed  to  be  more  severe  in  some 
respects  than  the  Federal — Remarks  on  flogging  and  severe 
discipline — Major  Foreman  with  six  hundred  men  sent  to 
meet  Federal  supply  train — The  enemy  preparing  to  attack  it 
again — An  Indian  prophet  and  the  superstitions  of  the 
Indians. . .  234 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

• 
The  rebel  pickets  shout  across  the  river  that  the  Federal  supply 

train  is  coming — Another  rebel  force  gone  to  meet  the  Federal 
supply  train — Movements  of  the  Confederate  armies  in 
the  East  as  reported  by  rebel  pickets— Vicksburg  closely  in 
vested  by  General  Grant — Federal  troops  in  southwest  Mis 
souri — Federal  supply  train  detained  by  high  water  at  Neo- 
sho  River — Federal  supplies  running  short  at  Fort  Gibson — 
High  water  in  Grand  River — Indian  women  report  heavy  fir 
ing  in  the  vicinity  of  Cabin  Creek — General  Cabell  on  the  east 
side  of  Grand  River,  near  Cabin  Creek,  with  artillery — The 
suspense — A  National  Salute  fired  in  honor  of  Independence 
Day — Beef  and  Beans  for  barbecue— The  pinch  of  hunger — 
Horses  and  dead  rebels  floating  in  the  river — Two  days'  fight 
ing  at  Cabin  Creek — Gallant  charge  of  the  Colored  regiment — 
Total  rout  of  the  enemy— How  the  Federal  troops  crossed 


CONTENTS. 


27 


Cabin  Creek  under  fire— General  Cabell  unable  to  join  General 
Cooper's  division  on  account  of  high  water — Arrival  of  sup- 
plytrain  at  Fort  Gibson 302 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  Federal  supply  train  returns  to  Fort  Scott— The  Battalion  of 
the  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry  and  the  author  accompany  it— Colo 
nel  Phillips  commended  for  his  successful  military  operations 
— Federal  troops  with  which  author  has  acted  for  two  years 
have  been  uniformly  successful — The  colored  soldiers  anxious 
to  meet  the  enemy — Their  physical  endurance — Well  adapted 
to  campaigning  in  warm  climate — Colonel  Phillips  will  be 
able  to  cross  the  Arkansas  river  and  attack  General  Cooper — 
Large  quantities  of  hay  should  be  put  up  at  Fort  Gibson — 
Salt  works  at  Grand  Saline — Families  of  English  blood  cling 
to  their  homesteads — On  the  march  up  the  beautiful  Grand 
River  country — Looking  out  for  General  Cabell's  force — The 
escort  meets  General  Blunt  at  Cabin  Creek — Examination  of 
the  battle-field— Active  operations  to  be  commenced  against 
General  Cooper  immediately— The  train  and  escort  pass 
the  section  of  Livingston's  operations— Arrival  at  Fort 
Scott...  330 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

The  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry  to  remain  at  Fort  Scott 
a  few  weeks — News  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  and  surrender 
of  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson  — Remarks  on  the  pro 
gress  of  the  Federal  arms — Backbone  of  the  Confederacy 


28  CONTENTS. 

broken— Frequent  contests  between  the  State  Militia  and 
guerrilas  in  Southwest  Missouri— Guerrilla  warfare  leads  to 
retaliation  and  personal  grudges — Major  Livingston,  the 
guerrilla  leader,  killed  by  the  Missouri  Militia — Remarks  on 
the  nature  of  his  operations — Colonel  Crittenden,  command 
ing  the  Militia  in  Southwest  Missouri,  after  the  enemy — Colo 
nel  Cloud  on  the  march  to  Fayetteville— General  Blunt  attacks 
General  Cooper's  army  at  Honey  Springs — Preparations  for 
the  battle — Furious  charge  of  the  Federal  troops — Complete 
rout  of  the  enemy  and  capture  of  one  piece  of  artillery,  col 
ors  and  prisoners — General  Cabell  came  up  after  the  battle 
was  over. . .  346 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  enemy  burn  the  Court  House  and  Academy  at  Carthage — 
County  records  carried  away  in  Missouri — Rebel  guerillas 
near  Fort  Scott — Rebel  women  carry  information  to  the 
enemy — Cholera  and  Small-pox  at  Fort  Gibson1— Probable 
cause  of  Cholera  breaking  out — A  soldier  killed  by  Captain 
Tough— A  little  too  much  drunkenness— Major  Blair  closes 
the  whisky  shops — Resisting  the  draft— Great  riot  in  New 
York  City — Remarks  on  neutrality— Arrival  of  Colonel  Phil 
lips  from  the  front — The  supply  train  starts  to  Fort  Gibson — 
Recruiting  of  the  Fourteenth  Kansas  Cavalry — Large  bounties 
paid  by  the  government  for  recruits— State  bounties  in  some 
of  the  States— Skirmish  between  several  squadrons  of  Federal 
troops  through  mistake — Skirmish  with  guerillas  near  Ball- 
town — Appeal  of  the  rebel  government  for  more  troops — Des 
cription  of  the  country  around  Fort  Scott — Recruiting  color 
ed  troops 363 


CONTENTS. 

• 

CHAPTER  XX. 

A  Post  established  at  Baxter  Springs,  with  a  Detachment  of  Cav 
alry  —  Bombardment  of  Charleston  and  probable  fall  of  Forts 
Surnter  and  Wagner  —  Guerrillas  along  the  Border  display 
ing  unusual  Activity  —  Large  quantities  of  Hay  being  put  up 
for  the  Government  at  Fort  Scott  —  Burning  and  Sacking  of 
Lawrence  by  Quantrell  —  Murder  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  of 
her  Citizens  —  Escape  of  the  Desperadoes  into  Missouri  —  Fed 
eral  troops  in  pursuit  —  The  Guerillas  break  up  into  small  De 
tachments  —  Kansas  needs  a  State  Militia  —  Looking  around 
for  some  one  to  blame  —  Generals  Ewing  and  Schofield  De 
nounced  —  Some  favor  the  wild  notion  of  a  Grand  Army  of 
Invasion,  to  destroy  everything  in  Missouri  for  a  distance  of 
forty  miles  from  Kansas  —  Folly  of  the  Scheme  —  Generals 
Cooper  and  Cabell  threatening  General  Blunt  —  Paola 
Mass  Meeting—  Plan  of  removal  of  Rebel  Families  con 
sidered  ..............................................  381 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

General  Schofield  coldly  received  by  the  people  of  Leavenworth 
City  —  Colonels  Jennison  and  Hoyt  speak  in  Fort  Scott  —  The 
crowd  sing  "John  Brown's  body  lies  mouldering  in  the 
grave,"  &c.  —  More  of  General  Lane's  Grand  Army  of  Invasion 
—  Few  trophies  to  bring  back  —  General  Schofield  issues  an 
order,  against  invasion  —  The  Missouri  State  troops  would 
resist  it  —  Battle  of  Perryville  and  defeat  of  General  Cooper  — 
General  Blunt  captures  Fort  Smith  —  Generals  Steele  and  Da 
vidson  capture  Little  Rock  —  Colonel  Blair  sends  out  a  recon- 
noissance  —  A  new  department  wanted  —  General  Gillmore 


30  CONTENTS. 

• 

captures  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg  in  Charlestown  Harbor — 
Sympathizers  of  the  rebellion  receive  anonymous  notices  to 
leave  the  city — Supposed  to  be  the  action  of  the  Union  League 
—Arrival  of  General  Blunt  and  Staff  and  Colonel  Judson— 
The  Bourbon  County  Fair — Activity  of  the  enemy  along  the 
border  again 397 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

General  Blunt,  Staff  and  Escort  start  to  Fort  Smith— Two  Sol 
diers  killed  near  Fort  Scott  by  the  enemy — Signs  of  an  ap 
proaching  storm — The  enemy  endeavor  to  capture  or  kill  the 
Federal  pickets,  and  to  make  a  dash  on  Fort  Scott — General 
Blunt's  escort  attacked  by  Quantrell  near  Baxter  Springs,  and 
nearly  all  killed — Colonel  Blair  with  a  cavalry  force  to  the 
rescue — Members  of  the  Band  burned  in  the  Band  wagon— 
The  enemy  defeated  by  Lieutenant  Pond  at  Baxter  Springs— 
The  invasion  of  Missouri  by  General  Shelby,  with  two  thou 
sand  cavalry  and  three  pieces  of  artillery — The  Missouri 
State  militia  in  pursuit  of  him— The  Militia  capture  his  artil 
lery  and  disperse  his  force — General  Ewing's  force  joins  in 
the  pursuit  of  the  enemy — The  enemy  driven  from  the  State — 
General  John  McNeil  to  take  command  of  the  Federal  troops 
at  Fort  Smith — General  Lane  speaks'in  Fort  Scott — General 
Blunt  starts  to  Fort  Smith  again 413 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

All  quiet  along  the   Border— Lovely  Indian  Summer — Theory 
accounting  for  the   Smoky  condition  of  the  Atmosphere — 


CONTENTS.  31 

Reprehensible  conduct  of  a  Detachment  on  scouting  service 
— Discussion  over  the  question,  "Who  shall  be  the  Com 
manding  General  of  the  District  ?"— Rebel  guerrillas  in  the  vi 
cinity  of  Humboldt — Colonel  Moonlight  takes  command  of 
the  Fourteenth  Kansas  Cavalry — Lieutenant  Josling  on  a 
scout  to  Osage  Mission — A  Cold  Wave — Distressing  condition 
of  Refugees — General  Blunt  authorized  to  raise  another  Col 
ored  Regiment — Citizens  of  Fort  Scott  opposed  to  Colonel 
Jennison  taking  command  of  the  post — The  supply  train 
starts  South — A  Military  Telegraph  to  be  constructed  to  Fort 
Scott — Twelfth  Kansas  Infantry  en  route  to  Fort  Smith — Fed 
eral  expedition  towards  Texas — "Mountain  Federals"  in  Ar 
kansas—They  annoy  the  enemy 429 

CHAPTER  XXIV.( 

General  Grant  defeats  the  enemy  under  General  Bragg  near  Chat 
tanooga — Arrival  of  a  large  quantity  of  Cotton  from  Fort 
Smith— Supposed  crookedness  in  regard  to  it — Guerilla  bands 
in  Southwestern  Missouri — How  the  people  manage  to  keep 
good  Animals  in  some  instances — Temporary  suspension  in 
the  Exchange  of  Prisoners — General  Marmaduke,  with  two 
thousand  men,  near  the  Southern  line  of  Missouri — Perhaps 
the  last  supply  train  to  Fort  Smith — General  Ewing  orders 
the  seizure  of  the  Cotton  from  Fort  Smith — Snow  Storm — 
Removal  of  General  Schofield  probable — Quantrell's  forces 
cross  the  Arkansas  River  near  Fort  Gibson,  on  the  way 
North — Were  defeated  by  Colonel  Phillips'  troops — General 
Price  threatens  Fort  Smith — Attempt  of  the  enemy  to  spike 
the  seige  guns  at  Fort  Scott — The  Missouri  militia  defeat 
Quantrell — A  large  Rebel  force  in  Southwest  Missouri — It 
is  driven  South — Concluding  Remarks. 442 


CHAPTER  I. 

Resume  of  the  operations  of  the  Army  under  Gen.  Blunt  during 
the  last  three  months  of  1862— The  battles  of  Newtonia  and 
Maysville  mentioned — The  charge  led  by  Capt.  S.  J.  Craw 
ford,  Second  Kansas  Cavalry,  and  capture  of  Gen.  Cooper's 
Artillery— The  battle  of  Cane  Hill— Brave  charge  of  Col. 
Lewis  R.  Jewell,  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry — His  mortal  wound 
and  death — Remarks  on  his  character — After  the  battle  of 
Cane  Hill,  Gen-  Blunt  orders  his  trains  to  Rhea's  Mills — Cour 
iers  sent  to  Gen.  Herron  to  bring  forward  hia  Division  on  a 
forced  march — Strength  of  the  two  divisions — Strength  of 
Gen.  Hindman's  Army — Battle  of  Prairie  Grove  described — 
It  lasts  until  after  dark — Furious  charging  of  the  Infantry — 
Terrific  artillery  fire — Gen.  Hindman  defeated,  and  retreats  to 
Van  Buren — Gen.  Blunt's  trains  ordered  to  Fayetteville — 
Burying  the  dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded — Concluding 
Remarks. 

WHEN  I  commenced  my  Memoirs  I  felt  sure  that 
shortly  after  peace  should  be  established  between  all 
sections  of  the  country,  tne  military  operations  with 
which  I  was  connected  as  an  humble  participant 
would  be  regarded  by  many  with  deep  interest.  I 
therefore  thought  it  worth  while  to  undertake  to 
chronicle  the  important  events  that  came  under  my 
notice  during  the  year  1863,  as  I  had  done  during  the 
year  1862.* 

•"Two  volumes  of  my  Ms.,  for  1862,  and  1864,  were  left  in  the 
Adjutant  General's  Office  at  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas,  the  latter  part  of 
1864,  and  are  supposed  to  have  been  destroyed  by  fire  the  follow 
ing  year. 
3 


34  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

I  commenced  to  write  the  following  memoirs  at 
Hhea's  Mills,  Washington  County,  Arkansas,  on  the 
25th  day  of  December,  1862.  In  my  chronicles  I  said 
that  as  oar  offensive  operations  are  temporarily  sus 
pended;  and  as  we  are  expecting  orders  shortly  to 
move  northward  towards  the  Missouri  line;  a  resume 
•of  our  operations  since  we  came  into  this  section  last 
fall  will  be  useful.  After  the  battles  of  Newtonia  on 
the  30th  of  September  and  4th  of  October  last,  we 
moved  steadily  forward,  and  defeated  the  enemy  in 
every  engagement.  At  the  battle  of  Maysville  or  Old 
f'ort  Wayne,  Cherokee  Nation,  on  the  20th  of  October, 
we  gained  a  substantial  victory  by  capturing  from 
General  Cooper  four  pieces  of  light  artillery,  brass 
twelve  pounders.  The  Second  and  Sixth  regiments 
Kansas  cavalry  led  in  the  charge  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  these  guns.  It  is  generally  conceded  how 
ever,  that  the  meed  of  honor  should  go  to  Captain 
Samuel  J.  Crawford,  Second  Kansas  cavalry,  for 
conspicuous  bravery  displayed  on  the  field  that  bright 
sunny  morning.  It  was  one  of  the  most  exciting 
contests  that  I  had  up  to  that  time  witnessed.  The 
enemy  were  completely  routed  in  less  than  half  an 
hour  after  the  engagement  commenced,  and  besides  his 
artillery,  a  considerable  number  of  small  arms,  which 
were  thrown  down  by  General  Cooper's  troops  in  their 
night,  fell  into  our  hands. 

Passing  over  minor  engagements  and  skirmishes, 
we  come  next  to  the  battles  of  Cane  Hill  and  Prairie 
Grove.  The  battle  of  Cane  Hill  took  place  November 


ON  THE   BOKDER-1863.  35 

29th.  Though  we  drove  the  enemy  through  the 
mountains  from  position  to  position  all  day.  we  gained 
nothing  of  consequence,  since  we  lost  one  of  the 
bravest  and  best  officers  of  our  command,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Lewis  R.  Jewell,  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry.  We 
also  had  two  other  officers  of  the  same  regiment 
seriously  wounded,  Lieutenants  John  G.  Harris  and 
John  A.  Johnson,  besides  some  twenty  enlisted  men. 
Colonel  Jewell  fell  mortally  wounded  while  leading  a 
sabre  charge  through  a  narrow  pass  in  the  mountains 
near  the  head  of  Cove  Creek  just  as  darkness  was 
coming  on.*  The  gorges  in  the  mountains  through 
which  we  were  pressing  the  enemy  made  our  pursuit 
of  him  exceedingly  difficult  and  hazardous,  for  we 
could  rarely  display  a  front  of  more  than  fifty  men. 

I  feel  that  it  is  eminently  right  and  proper  that  I 
should  give  Colonel  Jewell  more  than  a  passing  notice 
in  this  resume.  He  permitted  me  to  accompany  him 
on  all  scouts  and  reconnoissances  whenever  I  could  be 
spared  from  my  regular  duties.  And  when  I  could 
not  go  with  him,  he  generally  made  it  a  point  on  his 
return  to  report  to  me  such  facts  as  he  thought  would 
be  worth  noting  down.  As  I  endeavored  to  notice  the 
chief  points  of  interest  covering  the  area  of  our 
operations,  he  frequently  furnished  me  with  informa 
tion  from  higher  authorities,  which  I  could  not  have 
otherwise  got.  When  I  carried  orders  on  the  field  at 

^Captain  J.  K.  Hudson,  Assistant  Adjutant  General  of  Colonel 
Weir's  brigade,  who  had  been  on  several  bold  adventures  with 
Colonel  Jewell  during  the  day,  was  only  a  tew  yards  from  him 
when  he  fell. 


36  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

Newtonia  last  September,  it  was  Colonel  Jewell  that 
I  saw  lead  two  battalions  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry 
on  our  right  against  two  battalions  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry.  This  force  of  the  enemy,  though  somewhat 
superior  to  ours,  had  no  sooner  drawn  several  volleys 
from  our  carbines  than  Colonel  Jewell  ordered  his 
bugler  to  sound  the  charge,  and  in  an  instant,  with 
drawn  sabres  and  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  he 
swept  forward  over  the  prairie  like  a  storm,  leaving  a 
cloud  of  dust  in  his  rear.  The  enemy  stood  for  a 
moment,  but  when  they  saw  our  cavalry  coming 
towards  them  with  such  impetuosity,  they  turned  and 
fled,  and  sought  the  covering  of  their  guns.  Colonel 
Jewell  pursued  them  for  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile  right  at  their  heels,  sabreing  some  of  the  rear 
most,  until  he  came  near  the  stone  wall  or  fence, 
behind  which  were  posted  a  large  body  of  rebel 
infantry.  It  was  the  grandest  sight  I  ever  saw — our 
bright  sabres  gleaming  in  the  sunlight  of  that  lovely 
afternoon.  This  short  action  took  place  on  the  open 
prarie,  and  as  I  was  near  Colonel  Weir  and  our  batteries, 
a  few  hundred  yards  to  the  left  of  Col.  Jewell's  position, 
I  could  see  every  movement  as  distinctly  as  if  I  were 
watching  two  of  our  cavalry  regiments  going  into  a 
sham  battle.  In  the  presence  of  the  enemy  he  never 
sought  an  excuse  to  be  absent  from  his  regiment  or 
post  of  duty.  And  his  men  loved  him,  for  he  res 
pected  their  manhood,  and  shared  equally  with  them 
all  dangers  and  hardships.  In  another  way  he  en 
deared  himself  to  us  more  than  any  other  field-officer 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  37 

of  our  regiment.  He  always  seemed  to  me  to  be 
more  in  earnest  and  devoted  to  the  cause  for  which 
we  are  fighting,  and  in  which  I  believe  we  shall  be 
successful,  than  any  of  the  other  field-officers.  "We 
had  some  rather  lively  discussions  around  headquarters 
sometimes  in  regard  to  the  policy  of  the  Government 
towards  the  rebellious  States,  and  I  know  that  he  was 
an  ardent  supporter  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  administration, 
and  believed  that  the  war  should  be  prosecuted  without 
dallying  with  the  enemy. 

It  is  a  matter  of  simple  justice  to  state  that  no 
truer  and  braver  soldier  has  thus  far  in  the  war  been 
sacrificed  on  the  altar  of  liberty,  nor  has  a  purer 
patriot  drawn  his  sword  in  defence  of  his  country. 
Though  his  family  and  friends  and  all  who  knew  him 
will  mourn  that  he  has  been  thus  cut  down  in  the 
prime  of  his  manhood  and  usefulness,  yet  there  is  fv 
sad  pleasure  in  knowing  that  he  fell  in  the  full  dis 
charge  of  a  noble  duty,  the  noblest  it  is  given  man  to 
perform. 

If  Kansas  shall  in  the  future  erect  monuments  to 
her  heroic  dead,  I  know  that  none  will  be  more  deserv 
ing  of  a  monument  than  Colonel  Jewell. 

After  the  battle  of  Cane  Hill,  General  Blunt  ordered 
forward  all  his  trains  from  Camp  Moonlight  to  Rhea's 
Mills,  eight  miles  north  of  Cane  Hill.  All  the  troops 
of  his  division,  except  some  detachments  which  were 
posted  to  guard  the  principal  passes  in  the  mountains 
to  the  south  of  us,  were  collected  at  Rhea's  Mills,  for 
he  knew  from  the  information  that  our  scouts  brought 


38  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

in  each  day,  that  a  great  struggle  was  near  at  hand — a 
struggle  that  would  require  the  co-operation  of  all  the 
Federal  troops  in  southwest  Missouri  and- northwest 
Arkansas  to  save  us  from  defeat  and  utter  destruction. 
General  Herron's  division  of  Iowa,  Illinois,  Wisconsin 
and  Missouri  troops,  which  had  been  with  us  during 
the  latter  part  of  October,  while  we  were  encamped  at 
Pea  Ridge,  moved  back  early  in  November  in  the 
direction  of  Wilson  Creek  and  Springfield,  Missouri. 
Having  received  reliable  information  that  a  large 
army  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  all  the  available 
troops  from  Texas,  Arkansas  and  Missouri,  had  con 
centrated  at  Fort  Smith  and  Yan  Buren  under  the 
supreme  command  of  General  Hindman,  who  had  posi 
tively  fixed  the  3d  or  4th  of  December  as  the  day 
when  he  would  set  out  with  his  army  to  attack  and 
destroy  this  division  and  invade  Missouri,  General 
Blunt  sent  couriers  to  General  Herron  to  bring  forward 
his  division  on  a  forced  march.  General  Herron  res 
ponded  with  great  promptness,  marching  day  and  night, 
and  on  Sunday  morning,  December  7th,  his  advance 
guard,  composed  of  a  battalion  of  the  Seventh  Missouri 
Cavalry,  was  attacked  by  General  Hindrnan's  advance 
cavalry  division  about  twelve  miles  south  of  Fayette- 
ville,  near  Illinois  river,  and  some  five  miles  southeast 
of  our  camp.  The  officer  in  command  of  General 
Herron's  advanced  guard,  supposing  that  he  was  in  the 
neighborhood  of  our  division,  allowed  himself  to  be 
surprised  by  the  enemy,  and  in  this  preliminary  en 
gagement  lost  upwards  of  one  hundred  of  his  men  by 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  39 

capture,  and  some  ten  or  twelve  killed  and  wounded. 
But  I  think  he  cannot  be  justly  censured  for  this  mis 
fortune,  since  he  had  a  right  to  suppose  that  we  had 
not  permitted  the  enemy  to  pass  us.  This  engage 
ment  in  the  morning,  however,  stopped  the  progress  of 
the  enemy  and  enabled  General  Herron  to  bring  up 
his  infantry  and  artillery.  And  in  the  meantime  our 
division  was  also  coming  into  position  on  the  enemy's 
left  flank. 

With  the  exception  of  the  above  affair,  and  a  recon- 
noisance  by  our  division,  which  will  presently  be  men 
tioned,  the  early  part  of  the  day  was  consumed  by  the 
commanding  generals  on  both  sides  in  bringing  up 
troops  and  artillery  and  getting  them,  into  position,  so 
that  a  calm  prevailed  before  the  storm  which  was  to 
break  over  Prairie  Grove  in  the  afternoon. 

While  the  two  opposing  armies  were  thus  getting 
ready  for  the  impending  conflict,a  movement  with  which 
I  was  connected  seems  worth  mentioning.  About  two 
o'clock  on  Sunday  morning  the  7th,  Colonel  W.  B. 
Judson,  with  most  of  the  available  men  of  his  regiment 
and  two  mountain  howitzers,  was  detailed  by  Gen. 
Blunt  to  occupy  a  pass  in  the  mountains  about  twelve 
miles  southeast  of  Khea's  Mill,  as  a  report  came  in 
that  the  enemy  were  making  a  demonstration  against 
an  outpost  which  we  had  there.  When  we  reached 
the  point  designated,  we  found  that  all  Gen.  Hindman's 
army  with  the  exception  of  some  detachments,  which 
had  been  thrown  out  as  flankers  and  as  rear  guard,  had 
passed.  After  we  struck  the  Fort  Smith  and  Fayette- 


4:0  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

ville  road  and  marched  north  a  short  distance,  we  came 
in  sight  of  the  enemy's  rear  column.  Col.  Judson  or 
dered  the  howitzer  battery  to  fire  a  few  rounds  into  it,and 
Gen.  Hindman  supposing  that  his  army  was  attacked 
in  the  rear  by  Gen.  Blunt's  division  from  Rhea's  Mills, 
ordered  his  troops  to  form  in  line  of  battle,  facing  to  the 
rear.  "We  saw  them  forming  on  the  sides  of  the  moun 
tain  and  in  the  openings  in  the  woods  in  large  masses* 
After  discharging  a  few  volleys  from  our  carbines  into 
their  line,  we  retreated  around  a  section  of  the  moun 
tain  and  joined  our  division  on  the  extreme  right 
about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon.  This  movement  it 
is  generally  conceded  had  the  effect  of  delaying  Gen. 
Hindman  in  massing  his  troops  in  front  against  Gen. 
Herron,  as  he  could  not  feel  sure  that  the  main  attack 
was  not  to  be  made  in  his  rear,  until  he  sent  out  a 
reconnoisance  and  discovered  the  true  situation.  Sev 
eral  rebel  wounded  with  whom  I  talked  on  the  subject 
of  the  battle,  stated  that  Gen.  Hindman  had  actually 
commenced  to  change  his  main  line  of  battle  to  face 
south.  When  we  came  on  to  the  field  the  divisions  of 
Gens.  Blunt  and  Herron  had  just  formed  a  junction, 
and  their  line  of  battle  must  have  been  fully  two  and 
a  half  miles  long.  Gen.  Herron's  division  had  already 
had  several  sharp  contests  with  the  enemy,  and  the 
engagement  was  becoming  general  all  along  the  line. 
On  both  sides  the  skirmish  lines  were  being  pushed  back 
on  the  infantry  and  artillery.  The  enemy  had  appar 
ently  the  best  position,  as  he  occupied  a  side  of  the 
mountain  and  a  plateau,  or  intermediate  elevation, 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  41 

thickly  covered  with  timber,  mostly  of  young  growth; 
while  our  forces  occupied  the  lower  ground  north  and 
west  of  Prairie  Grove  meeting  house.  Shortly  after 
we  had  taken  our  position,  there  was  a  lull  in  the  skir 
mish  firing,  which  was  soon  followed  by  a  heavy  roll 
of  musketry  on  our  extreme  left.  Gen.  Hindman  had 
thrown  forward  a  division  of  infantry  which  attacked 
Gen.  Herron's  division  furiously.  He  then  dispatched 
another  division  against  Gen.  Blunt.  The  heavy  vol 
leys  of  musketry  now  extended  all  along  the  lines  of 
both  arnties.  In  the  meantime  the  artillery  of  both 
sides  had  not  been  idle.  It  furnished  the  base  notes 
of  that  awfully  grand  performance.  Our  batteries 
were  skillfully  handled,  and  sometimes  when  they  came 
into  new  positions  with  the  enemy  plainly  in  view, 
their  terrific  thundering  seemed  to  shake  the  very 
foundation  of  the  mountains.  The  storm  surged  back 
and  forth  along  the  lines  of  both  armies  with  no  per 
ceptible  intermission  until  dark  with  small  arms,  and 
until  long  after  dark  with  the  artillery;  for  I  could  dis 
tinctly  see  from  our  position  the  enemy's  guns  on  the 
side  of  the  mountain  belching  forth  long  volumes  of  fire 
from  their  horrid  throats.  My  experience  at  New- 
tonia  and  Prairie  Grove  convinces  me  that  shells  from 
an  enemy's  guns  bursting  over  one's  head  at  night 
make  quite  a  different  impression  upon  the  mind  than 
when  bursting  over  one's  head  in  broad  daylight.  The 
bursting  and  singing  of  shells  flying  through  the  air, 
and  the  crackling  and  falling  of  limbs  of  trees  produce 
an  indescribable  feeling,  such  perhaps  as  is  not  easy 


42  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

to  imagine  by  anv  one  who  has  not  had  the  exper 
ience. 

As  the  twilight  grew  into  darkness  the  volleys  of 
musketry  died  away  gradually,  and  only  the  batteries 
kept  up  the  firing  of  shot  and  shell.     But  when  night 
came  and  drew  a  mantle  of  darkness  over  the  earth, 
and  shortly  separated  the  combatants,  neither  we  nor 
our  foes  knew  the  amount  of  death  and  suifering  the 
last  few  hours  had  wrought.     Nor  is  it  likely  that  the 
commanding  Generals  of  either  army,  until  long  after 
silence  reigned  over  the  bloody  field,  felt  sure  as  to 
the  result  of  the  day's  contest.     At  the  close  of  the 
day  both  armies  occupied  very  nearly  the  same  posi 
tions  they  had  taken  up  on  going  into  action.     Some 
of  the  bloodiest  parts  of  the  field  were  neutral  ground 
during  the  night.     Our  troops  slept  on  their  arms,  and 
all  night  long  active  preparations  were  being  made  to 
bring  every  available  man  on  the  field  the  next  day, 
and  to  renew  the  battle  at  early  dawn.     The  supply 
and  baggage  trains  of  our  division  at  Rhea's  Mills,  had 
been  in  an  unsafe  position  during  the  day,  and  were 
removed  during  the  night  to  Fayetteville,  so  that  they 
would   be   covered  by  our  army  in  the  event  of  its 
being  compelled  to  retreat  the  next  day.     During  the 
progress   of  the   battle,   Gen.    Solomons,    with    the 
Ninth   Wisconsin   infantry   and    some    detachments 
from  different  regiments,  was  left  to  guard  our  trains. 
But  the  next  morning  was  clear  and  frosty,  and  the 
sun,  with  its  disc  half  obscured,  peeped  over  the  dis 
tant  outlines  of  the  mountain  and  seemed  to  smile  on 


ON  THE  BORDBR-1868.  4:3 

all  below.  The  distant  mountain  peaks,  too,  bathed  in 
a  soft  haze,  seemed  to  speak  words  of  hope  and  confi 
dence.  We  found  ourselves  in  complete  possession  of 
the  field  instead  of  another  bloody  day  before  us. 
Gen.  Hindman  not  being  willing  to  renew  the  contest, 
had  during  the  night  ordered  the  wheels  of  his  artil 
lery  carriages  and  caissons  muffled,  and  drawn  off  the 
field  and  retreated  towards  Van  Buren.  He  remained 
however  with  a  division  of  cavalry  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  battle  field  a  short  time  the  next  day,  and  sent  a 
fiag  of  truce  to  Gens.  Blunt  and  Herron  concerning 
the  picking  up  of  arms  on  the  field,  the  burying  of  the 
dead  and  caring  for  the  wounded.  Our  victory  was 
complete.  The  defeat  of  the  enemy  was  a  severe  blow 
to  the  Confederate  cause  west  of  the  Mississippi. 
Gen.  Hindman  is  reported  to  have  boasted  that  his 
horse  should  drink  out  of  the  Missouri  river  or  from, 
the  rivers  of  .Pluto's  regions  before  Christmas.  The 
morning  before  leaving  Yan  Buren,  he  issued  a  flam 
ing  address  to  his  troops  to  inspire  them  with  courage 
and  hope,  and  in  it,  in  speaking  of  the  Federal  troops, 
he  went  on  to  say,  "  they  have  desolated  your  homes, 
defiled  the  graves  of  your  kindred,"  etc.  A  copy  of 
this  address  I  picked  up  on  the  field  beside  a  dead 
Confederate  soldier,  and  presume  it  was  printed  and 
distributed  among  the  rebel  troops.  This  bombastic 
display  of  oratory  may  have  had  some  effect  towards 
firing  the  flagging  zeal  of  his  troops,  for  some  of  his 
soldiers  that  we  captured  had  very  exaggerated  notions 
about  alleged  outrages  committed  by  our  troops,  par- 
ticularly  the  Kansas  division. 


44  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

This  battle  is  one  of  the  three  big  battles  that  have 
as  yet  been  fought  west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and 
as  it  has  resulted  so  favorable  to  our  arms,  it  will  no 
doubt  do  much  to  strengthen  our  cause  in  the  west. 
There  are  always  men  who  are  looking  out  for  the  win 
ning  side. 

It  requires  time  and  an  immense  expenditure  of 
energy  and  money  to  organize  and  equip  such  an 
army  as  Gen.  Hindman  brought  against  us.  His 
army  has  been  estimated  at  sixteen  to  twentv  thousand 
men.  Our  two  divisions  did  not  bring  on  the  field 
exceeding  ten  thousand  men.  From  what  I  saw  and 
could  find  out,  I  estimated  that  our  loss  must  have 
been  very  nearly  two  hundred  men  killed,  and  upwards 
of  eight  hundred  wounded.*  The  enemy,  I  estimated 

*  The  First  Division,  commanded  by  Brig.-General  James  G 
Blunt,consisted  of  the  following  troops ;  Kansas :  Second,  Sixth  and 
Ninth  regiments  of  cavalry,  with  four  twelve  pound  mountain 
howitzers;  Tenth,  Eleventh  and  Thirteenth  regiments  infantry, 
and  First,  Second  and  Third  batteries  light  artillery.  Indiana: 
Second  battery  light  artillery  commanded  by  Captain  Kabb  Wis 
consin:  Third  regiment  cavalry,  two  battalions,  and  Ninth  regi 
ment  infantry.  And  Colonel  Phillips  Indiana  brigade,  consisting 
of  the  First,  Second  and  Third  regiments. 

The  Second  and  Third  Divisions  commanded  by  Brig.-General 
Frank  J.  Herron  were  composed  of  the  following  organizations: 
Iowa:  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  regiments  of  infantry,  and  First 
regiment  cavalry.  Illinois :  Tenth  regiment  cavalry  and  Thirty- 
seventh  and  Ninety -fourth  regiments  infantry  and  Peoria  battery 
light  artillery.  Indiana:  Twenty-sixth  regiment  infantry.  Mis 
souri  :  First,  Seventh  and  Eight  regiments  cavalry,  and  batteries 
"E,"  "F"  and  UL"  First  light  artillery.  Wisconsin :  One  battalion 
Second  regiment  cavalry,  and  Twentieth  regiment  infantry,  and 
First  regiment  Arkansas  cavalry. 


ON  THE  BORDEE— 1863.  45 

from  counting  different  groups  of  their  slain  on  the 
field,  lost  about  three  hundred  men  killed,  and  pro 
bably  upwards  of  a  thousand  wounded. 

There  was  some  gallant  charging  by  the  infantry  on 

According  to  official  reports  the  casualties  were  as  follows  in 
Second  and  Third  Divisions:  Indiana:  Twenty-sixth  infantry, 
enlisted  men  killed,  41.  Illinois :  Thirty-seventh  regiment  infan 
try,  enlisted  men  killed,  :  wounded,  .  Ninety-fourth  regi 
ment,  enlisted  men  killed,  2 ;  wounded,  10.  Tenth  regiment  cav 
alry,  enlisted  men  wounded,  9.  Iowa:  First  cavalry,  wounded 
enlisted  men,  1 ;  missing  enlisted  men,  2.  Nineteenth  infantry, 
killed,  officers,  3;  enlisted  men,  42;  wounded,  officers,  6; 
enlisted  men,  139 ;  -missing,  officers,  1 ;  enlisted  men, 
2.  Twentieth  infantry,  killed,  officers,  1 ;  enlisted  men,  7 ; 
wounded,  officers,  5 ;  enlisted  men,  34.  Missouri :  Seventh  cav 
alry,  killed,  officers,  2;  enlisted  men,  4;  wounded,  enlisted  men, 
6;  missing,  officers,  1 ;  enlisted  men,  105.  Eighth  cavalry,  miss 
ing,  enlisted  men,  4.  Batteries  E,  F  and  L,  First  Light  artillerr, 
killed,  enlisted  men,  1;  wounded,  2.  Wisconsin:  Twentieth  in 
fantry,  killed,  officers,  2;  enlisted  men,  51;  wounded  officers,  8; 
enlisted  men,  154;  missing,  enlisted  men,  10.  Battalion  Second 
cavalry,  wounded,  enlisted  men,  1. 

First  Division :  Kansas :  Second  cavalry,  killed,  enlisted  menr 
3;  wounded,  officers,  1 ;  enlisted  men,  11.  Sixth  cavalry,  miss 
ing,  enlisted  men,  3.  Tenth  infantry,  killed,  enlisted  men,  7; 
wounded,  officers,  2 ;  enlisted  men,  58.  Eleventh  infantry,  killed, 
enlisted  men,  2 ;  wounded,  officers,  2 ;  enlisted  men,  19.  Thir 
teenth  infantry,  killed,  enlisted  men,  7;  wounded,  officers,  2; 
enlisted  men,  33;  missing,  enlisted  men,  6.  First  Battery,  killed, 
enlisted  men,  1 ;  wounded,  enlisted  men,  8.  Indiana  brigade : 
First  regiment,  killed,  enlisted  men,  1 ;  wounded,  enlisted  men, 
1.  Third  regiment,  missing,  enlisted  men,  3. 

There  were  according  to  the  official  reports  of  Gens.  Blunt  and 
Herron,  killed,  167,  wounded,  798;  missing,  183.  making  a  total 
of  casualties  of  1,148.  I  make  175  killed,  which  I  think  is  very 
nearly  correct.  This  is  28  less  than  the  number  of  men 
killed  at  Pea  Ridge  during  three  days'  fighting. 


46  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

both  sides  to  capture  batteries  and  to  secure  certain 
desirable  positions.  In  Gen.  Herron's  division  the 
Twentieth  regiment  Wisconsin  infantry,  Twenty- 
sixth  Indiana  Infantry,  the  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth 
regiments  of  Iowa  infantry,  and  Thirty-seventh  and 

O  «/  '  t/ 

Ninety-fourth  regiments  Illinois  infantry  were  most 
fiercely  assaulted  by  the  enem}T,  and  sustained  the 
heaviest  loss  in  charging  the  enemy  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  Never  was  greater  bravery  and  firmness 
displayed  by  troops  in  action,  and  no  general  ever 
handled  his  men  more  skillfully  than  Gen.  Herron. 
On  that  bloody  day  several  of  the  enemy's  bat 
teries,  after  every  horse  belonging  to  the  gun 
carriages  had  been  killed,  were  captured  by  our 
infantry,  and  vriiile  they  were  being  hauled 
off  the  field  by  the  hands  of  the  men,  the  en 
emy  rallied  and  came  down  in  lines  of  six  deep,  and 
recaptured  them  just  before  they  were  drawn  to  the 
foot  of  the  hill.  Gen.  Herron  strengthened  his  line 
at  this  hotly  contested  spot,  and  in  a  few  moments  a 
strong  force  of  infantry  charged  up  the  hill  through  the 
woods  and  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  retook  one  of 
the  batteries  and  held  it.  Shortly  after  this  fierce  con 
test  Gen.  Hindman  sent  a  division  of  infantry  against 
our  right  with  a  view  of  breaking  through  Gen.  Blunt's 
line.  Again  the  enemy  came  down  in  line  of  battle  six 
deep.  Gen.  Blunt  ordered  his  batteries  into  positions 
from  which  they  were  able  to  use  grape  and  canister 
against  the  enemy  with  terrible  effect.  The  Tenth, 
Eleventh  and  Thirteenth  regiments  Kansas  infantry 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  47 

suffered  the  heaviest  losses  in  this  fierce  engagement. 
Our  batteries  were  well  handled  and  did  excellent  ser 
vice.  They  dismounted  several  of  the  enemy's  guns, 
knocked  the  wheels  off  some  of  their  gun  carriages 
and  caissons,  and  by  exploding  shells  killed  a  good 
many  of  their  artillerymen  and  artillery  horses.  I 
saw  near  the  peach  orchard  on  the  hill  where  this 
fierce  contest  was  waged  over  the  taking  and  retaking 
of  the  batteries  above  mentioned,  nearly  all  the  horses 
that  belonged  to  those  batteries  within  a  radius  of 
fifty  yards,  and  I  noticed  that  many  of  them  had  been 
killed  by  exploding  shells.  Indeed  in  some  instances 
they  were  dreadfully  mutilated. 

I  account  for  the  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  being  larger  than  ours  in  this  way.  In  the 
first  place  I  am  satisfied  that  Gen.  Hindman's  army 
was  not  as  well  organized  and  equipped  as  ours; 
though  he  unquestionably  had  several  divisions  of  well 
organized  troops.  In  the  second  place,  I  don't  believe 
that  the  great  body  of  his  troops  were  as  eager  for  the 
fray  as  ours.  I  sincerely  believe  that  a  large  propor 
tion  of  our  soldiers  were  actually  eager  for  the  contest, 
and  went  into  it  with  confidence  of  their  strength 
and  in  the  justice  of  our  cause.  They  felt  too,  that 
our  officers  would  not  blindly  lead  them  into  a  contest 
in  which  they  would  be  put  to  disadvantage  in  every 
respect.  Our  small  arms  also  were  perhaps  as  a 
general  thing  superior  to  the  small  arms  of  the  enemy, 
though  some  of  their  infantry  regiments  were  armed 
with  fine  Enfield  muskets  with  the  crown  stamped 


48  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

upon  them.  When  it  could  be  done  conveniently  it 
was  probably  the  intention  to  pick  up  these  costly 
arms  whenever  a  soldier  was  killed  or  fell  severely 
wounded,  but  in  many  instances  this  would  have  been 
impossible,  hostile  bullets  were  flying  so  thick  and 
fas 

Several  women  whom  I  saw  on  the  field  the  second 
day  after  the  battle,  looking  for  dead  or  wounded 
relatives  and  friends,  told  me  that  the  rebel  authorities 
had  conscripted  every  able  bodied  man  in  the  State 
they  could  get,  and  put  him  into  the  army,  and  that 
the  conscripts  were  always  sure  to  be  put  into  the 
front  ranks,  poorly  armed  and  equipped,  so  as  to  draw 
our  first  fire,  and  so  that  their  best  trained  and 
equipped  soldiers  could  be  reserved  for  the  fiercest  and 
most  important  contests.  From  inquiries  that  1  have 
made,  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  a  good  many  men  who 
were  indifferent  as  to  the  results  of  the  war,  and  many 
others  whose  sympathies  were  more  with  the  Govern 
ment  than  with  the  Confederacy,  were  killed  and 
wounded  in  this  battle.  But  in  times  like  the  present, 
if  not  indeed  upon  all  questions  of  public  and  private 
interests,  men  should  have  decided  convictions,  and 
support  them  by  all  honorable  means  in  their  power. 
If  a  man  is  not  in  sympathy  with  the  rebellion 
he  should  at  once  either  join  the  Federal  army  or  seek 
its  protection.  It  is  an  unsafe  time  to  attempt  to  sit 
a  straddle  the  political  fence.  "Whoever  attempts  it  is 
liable  to  get  knocked  off  by  either  party,  and  to  receive 
very  little  tympathy  from  neither. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  49 

And  thirdly,  I  don't  think  that  the  enemy  were  able 
to  use  their  artillery  as  effectively  as  ours  was  used. 
Gen.  Hindman's  position  on  the  side  of  the  mountain 
and  on  the  plateau  below,  though  covered  with  a 
dense  young  forest,  was  not  much  advantage  to  him,  if 
not  indeed  a  positive  disadvantage.  On  account  of 
the  few  openings  in  the  woods,  his  batteries  could 
not  find  a  sufficient  number  of  good  positions  from 
which  to  sight  our  troops  and  batteries.  And  being- 
obliged  to  stick  to  the  same  positions  all  the  afternoon, 
our  batteries  soon  got  their  range  from  the  smoke 
which  arose  from  them,  and  knocked  them  to  pieces 
fearfully.  Our  batteries  constantly  shifted  their  posi 
tions  and  consequently  suffered  very  little  loss.  Only 
at  the  peach  orchard  above  mentioned,  did  the  enemy 
attempt  to  use  any  of  his  batteries  at  short  range  with 
grape  and  canister,  and  we  have  seen  how  that  per 
formance  ended.  The  batteries  of  both  our  divisions, 
about  forty- two  pieces,  all  the  afternoon  poured  a  con 
stant  and  terrific  shower  of  shot  and  shell  into  the 
dense  woods  which  seemed  to  afford  the  enemy  shelter. 
The  day  after  the  battle,  in  passing  through  this  woods 
with  an  officer  and '  several  comrades,  the  number  of 
torn  and  multilated  bodies  of  rebel  soldiers,  scattered 
here  and  there,  told  us  plainly  enough  that  the  forest 
had  afforded  the  enemy  very  little  shelter,  that  though 
it  had  concealed  them  from  our  view,  it  had  not  con 
cealed  them  from  our  exploding  shells.  On  one  occa 
sion  when  General  Hindman  massed  a  large  force  of 
infantry  in  front  of  our  right,  and  directed  them  to 
break  our  line,  two  of  our  batteries  took  positions 
4 


50  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

well  selected,  and  cross-fired  them  with  grape  and 
canister,  as  soon  as  they  came  within  range,  with 
terrible  effect. 

The  names  of  many  officers  who  displayed  conspic 
uous  bravery  on  the  bloody  field  of  Prairie  Grove 
could  be  mentioned,  but  as  there  were  probably  others, 
whose  names  I  did  not  get,  who  displayed  equal 
bravery,  it  would  be  unjust  to  make  any  discrimina 
tion.  The  officer  of  highest  rank  killed  on  our  side, 
was  Lieut.-Colonel  Samuel  McFarland,  Nineteenth 
Iowa  infantry,  while  gallantly  leading  his  regiment. 

The  smoke  of  the  battle- having  cleared  away,  and  it 
having  been  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had  not 
stopped  in  his  retreat  until  he  reached  Yan  Bureii,  our 
next  care  was  to  bury  our  dead  and  look  after  our 
wounded.  The  enemy  also,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  had 
men  and  surgeons  on  the  field  gathering  up  their  dead 
and  wounded.  I  visited  a  number  of  our  Field 
Hospitals,  and  it  was  the  most  affecting  sight  I  ever 
saw  to  see  so  many  of  our  poor  fellows  breathing  out 
their  noble  lives.  A  young  man  to  my  left,  as  I 
passed  through  a  ward  in  which  most  of  the  patients 
were  regarded  as  mortally  wounded,  knowing"  that  dis 
solution  was  near,  was  dictating  a  last  message  to  his 
young  wife;  and  another  to  my  right  was  directing  a 
comrade  by  his  side  to  send  some  loving  word  to  his 
mother;  and  near  by  another,  whose  countenance 
showed  that  life  was  fast  ebbing  away,  looked  intently 
on  a  picture  of  some  dear  one  at  home  for  a  moment 
and  then  fell  to  weeping.  Others  were  undergoing 
great  mental  as  well  as  physical  suffering,  because 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  51 

they  were  conscious  that  they  were  going  to  die  far 
away  from  homes  and  friends.  But  the  groans  and 
agonies  of  these  brave  men  shall  not  have  been  in  vain. 
Future  generations  will  enjoy  the  blessings  that  their 
blood  has  helped  to  purchase.  It  would  be  base  in 
gratitude  on  the  part  of  those  for  whom  they  died, 
were  they  to  make  no  effort  to  commemorate  their 
glorious  actions. 


CHAPTEE  II. 

General  Bluet's  trains  return  to  Rhea's  Mills  from  Fayetteville — 
Resources  of  the  country  around  Rhea's  Mills — Furnishes 
forage  for  the  cavalry  and  transportation  animals — Native  ani 
mals  stand  the  service  better  in  that  section  than  animals 
brought  from  the  north — Preparations  for  the  expedition  to 
Van  Buren — Incidental  reflections — The  expedition  on  the 
march — Crossing  and  recrossing  the  raging,  foaming  and 
splashing  mountain  stream  thirty-nine  times — An  unpleasant 
march  for  the  infantry — The  troops  bivouac  by  this  stream — 
The  march  resumed — An  outpost  of  the  enemy  struck  by  the 
Federal  Cavalry  advance — The  chase— Battle  Dripping  Springs 
—Federal  charge  on  the  enemy's  camp — Flight  of  the  enemy  to 
Van  Buren — Federal  pursuit — Capture  of  Van  Buren — Burn 
ing  of  steamboats  and  supplies — Artillery  duel  acrsss  the  Ar 
kansas  River — The  enemy  shell  their  own  city — Return  to 
Rhea's  Mills. 

BEFORE  saluting  the  new  year  we  must  notice  some 
further  operations  of  considerable  importance.  A  few 
days  after  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  General  Blunt 
ordered  his  supply  and  baggage  trains  back  from 
Fayetteville  to  Ehea's  Mills,  and  our  division  went 
into  camp  again.  General  Herron's  division  went 
into  camp  on  the  ground  it  occupied  during  the  battle. 
The  battle  will  probably  always  be  known  in  history 
as  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  for  the  two  opposing 
armies  met  near  Prairie  Grove  meeting  house,  on  a 
northern  slope  of  the  Boston  Mountains. 

This  section  is  regarded  as  the  wealthiest  and  most 
fertile  region  in  northwestern  Arkansas,  if  not  indeed 


ON   TIIE   BORDER— 1863.  53 

of  the  State.  The  climate  and  soil  seem  peculiarly 
adapted  to  raising  sweet  potatoes,  apples,  pears,  peaches 
and  many  other  kinds  of  fruit.  Wheat,  corn  and 
oats  are  also  raised  in  considerable  abundance.  But 
the  farms  are  not  large  like  the  farms  in  Missouri. 
We  have  found  almost  sufficient  forage  to  supply  our 
animals,  and  we  have  also  replenished  the  larder  of  the 
commissariat  to  some  extent.  The  cattle  and  hogs 
taken  from  disloyal  people  of  this  section  furnish  us 
with  fresh  beef  and  pork.  The  water-power  mills  on 
the  never-failing  mountain  streams,  have  rarely  been 
burned,  and  turn  out  a  good  deal  of  flour,  which  is 
applied  to  subsisting  the  army.  All  commissary  and 
quartermaster  supplies  for  our  division,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  those  that  this  section  furnishes,  are  trans 
ported  by  four-mule  teams  from  Fort  Scott,  Kansas,  a 
distance  of  one  hundred  and  forty  miles.  Gen. 
Herron's  division  is  supplied  from  Springfield,  Mis 
souri.  Though  our  base  of  supplies  is  this  great 
distance  from  us ;  and  though  most  of  the  country  our 
trains  pass  over  is  infested  with  guerrilla  bands  that 
annoy  our  escorts  by  now  and  then  picking  off  a 
trooper  with  their  rifles  or  muskets,  yet  we  have  not, 
up  to  the  present  time,  lost  a  train  or  suffered  any  in 
convenience  for  want  of  full  rations.  A  considerable 
body  of  our  cavalry  has,  however,  been  detached  from 
actual  field  service  to  perform  escort  duty,  during  the 
autumn  and  winter.  But  taking  into  account  the 
amount  of  this  kind  of  service,  and  the  fact  that  scout 
ing  parties  or  reconnaissances  are  daily  sent  out  in 
every  direction,  our  cavalry  horses  are  in  remarkably 


54:  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

good  condition.  That  they  have  stood  the  campaign 
so  well,  I  think  is  due  to  the  fact  that  they  have  been 
collected  mostly  from  Missouri  and  Kansas,  a  climate 
not  differing  perceptibly  from  this.  Last  spring  the 
Second  Ohio  cavalry  accompanied  us  on  an  expedition 
known  as  the  "  Indian  Expedition"  The  men  of 
that  regiment  were  mounted  on  fine  horses  brought 
from  northern  Ohio,  which  were  in  splendid  condition 
when  the  regiment  left  Fort  Scott.  But  when  we 
returned  to  Southern  Kansas  in  August,  after  an 
absence  of  less  than  four  months,  nearly  all  the  horses 
of  this  finely  equipped  regiment  had  either  died  or 
been  abandoned  in  the  Indian  country.  Yery  few  of 
the  troopers  of  the  Second  and  Sixth  regiments, 
Kansas  cavalry,  were  dismounted  on  our  return.  I 
have  therefore  felt  convinced  since  that  "Expedition" 
that  our  native  animals  are  more  suitable  for 
army  service  in  this  section  than  horses  raised  four  or 
five  hundred  miles  north  of  this  latitude.  Animals, 
like  men,  in  few  generations  become  adapted  to  the 
conditions  of  particular  localities,  and  in  a  measure 
unadapted  to  the  conditions  of  other  localities. 

After  an  active  campaign,  camp  life  becomes  mono 
tonous  to  the  soldier,  and  he  begins  to  crave  new  ex 
citement.  We  remained  in  camp  at  Rhea's  Mills 
about  three  weeks  after  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove 
without  undertaking  any  other  important  movement. 
Reconnaissances  have  of  course  been  sent  out  at  inter 
vals  of  a  few  days,  but  in  each  instance  return  to  camp 
without  discovering  any  indications  of  the  enemy  in 
force.  But,  on  the  evening  of  December  26th,  I  re- 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  55 

ceived  instructions  to  issue  to  the  number  of  men 
reported  present  for  duty  in  each  company  of  our  regi 
ment,  five  days'  rations  suitable  for  carrying  in  haver 
sacks,  and  to  be  ready  to  march  at  3  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  the  27th.  At  the  time  designated  all  the 
cavalry,  infantry  and  artillery,  except  a  force  deemed 
sufficient  to  guard  our  trains  and  camp,  under  Brig.- 
General  Solomons,  were  in  column  and  in  readiness  to 
march.  Very  few,  if  any,  of  the  officers  knew  where 
we  were  going,  or  the  exact  object  of  the  expedition. 
It  was  thought  by  some  that  we  were  going  to  attack 
the  rebel  army  in  the  vicinity  of  Yan.  Buren  and  Fort 
Smith.  It  did  not  seem  probable  that  it  was  the  inten 
tion  of  General  Blunt  to  attack  the  main  body  of  the 
rebel  army,  as  we  had  recently  received  information  that 
it  was  encamped  around  Fort  Smith, on  the  south  side  of 
the  Arkansas  river,  four  miles  above  Yan  Buren.  Even 
if  our  force  had  been  sufficiently  strong  to  make  our 
success  reasonably  certain,  it  was  difficult  to  see  how  we 
should  get  our  army  across  the  river  as  rapidly  as 
would  be  required,  as  we  have  had  no  pontoon  trains 
such  as  the  eastern  armies  are  furnished  with.  We 
thought  it  possible  that  the  commanding  general 
wished  to  take  a  more  advanced  position,  to  occupy  Yan 
Buren,  and  to  clear  the  country  all  north  of  the  river 
of  the  enemy.  There  were,  however,  serious  difficulties 
to  be  encountered  in  taking  this  view  of  the  matter. 
Our  base  of  supplies  would  be  further  removed  from 
us;  besides  our  supply  trains  would  be  obliged  to  pass 
over  the  Boston  Mountains,  a  rough  and  rugged  region. 
But  with  a  line  of  stations  in  our  rear  we  thought 


56  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

that  the  army  might  move  to  Van  Buren,  as  we  were 
in  complete  possession  of  western  Arkansas  north  of 
the  river. 

I  need  not,  however,  recount  further  what  our 
thoughts  were  in  regard  to  the  ultimate  object  of  the 
expedition.  Suffice  it  to  know  that  General  Blunt  had 
information  that  a  brigade  of  Texas  cavalry,  under  com 
mand  of  Colonel  Crump,  was  encamped  at  Dripping 
Springs,  eight  miles  north  of  Yan  Buren,  and  that  he 
wished  to  capture  them  or  break  up  their  camp.  He 
was  also  informed  that  large  quanties  of  quartermas 
ter  and  commissary  supplies  were  stored  at  Van  Buren, 
and  that  four  or  five  steamboats  were  coming  up  the 
river  from  Little  Rock  with  cargoes  of  supplies  for  Gen 
eral  Hindman's  army  encamped  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Fort  Smith,  and  that  the  steamboats  would  proba 
bly  reach  Yan  Buren  about  the  time  he  calculated  we 
would  get  there.  If  we  could  capture  and  destroy  those 
supplies  and  steamboats,  and  capture  or  break  up 
Colonel  Crump's  camp  it  would  of  course  cripple  the 
rebel  army  in  Arkansas  to  a  very  great  extent, besides  it 
would  add  to  its  demoralization,  which  was  already 
great  since  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove.  We  heard 
even  before  that  battle  that  their  supplies  were  scanty 
in  many  respects.  I  don't  think  that  the  rebel  sol 
diers  had  any  genuine  coffee.  We  heard  that  they  had 
not,  and  I  saw  in  the  haversacks  on  a  number  of  their 
dead  bodies  at  Prairie  Grove,  nothing  but  a  kind  of 
meal  made  of  parched  corn,  a  piece  of  bacon  and  a 
piece  of  black  looking  bread,  which  we  could  not  eat 
unless  we  felt  the  pinch  of  hunger  more  keenly  than 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  57 

we  have  at  any  time  in  the  past.  When  I  saw  their 
dead  bodies  scattered  over  the  field,  I  could  not  help 
feeling  that  most  of  them  surely  had  no  definite  notion 
of  what  they  were  fighting  for.  Though  in  death,  par 
ticularly  of  a  soldier  who  has  died  on  the  battle  field 
in  the  midst  of  fire  and  smoke  and  dust  and  excitement, 
1  suppose  we  cannot  judge  accurately  how  he  looked 
when  living;  yet  I  think  that  most  of  the  enemy's 
dead  I  saw  on  the  field  must  have  been  poor  men ; 
who  probably  never  owned  a  slave,  nor  never  would  have 
owned  one  even  if  slavery  were  permitted  to  remain 
an  institution  of  the  South.  Under  such  circumstances 
I  sincerely  pity  those  men  who  are  sacrificing 
their  lives  to  perpetuate  and  sustain  an  institution 
that  never  has  had,  and  never  will  have,, any  sym 
pathy  for  them  in  their  ignorance  and  poverty. 
Should  I  or  my  brother  fall  any  day,  we  know 
that  we  shall  Jiave  fallen  in  defense  of  our  gov 
ernment,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  best  the  world  has  yet 
seen ;  but  we  also  know  that  we  shall  have  fallen  in  de 
fense  of  a  principle  which  has  for  its  object  the  mak 
ing  of  all  men  free  and  equal  before  the  law.  Had  not 
such  thoughts  as  these  been  in  my  mind,  I  could  never 
have  pursuaded  him  to  leave  his  home  and  young  wife, 
to  enlist  into  the  Federal  army.  If  we  come  out  of  the 
war  safe,  we  leel  that  we  will  have  an  interest  in  the 
future,  but  that  if  we  do  not  come  out  safe,  that  our 
sacrifice  will  not  have  been  for  nothing.  "We  know 
that  the  cause  for  which  we  are  striving  does  not  tend 
to  establish  an  aristocracy  or  privileged  class,  which 


58  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

shall  in  various  ways  be  favored  by  the  laws  of  the 
land.  Though  we  may  not  live  to  enjoy  the  blessings 
we  hope  will  come  when  the  storms  of  war  shall  have 
passed  away,  there  is  at  least  a  satisfaction  in  believ 
ing  that  there  are  those  who  are  dear  to  us  who  will 
enjoy  these  hoped-for  blessings. 

But  let  us  not  dwell  too  long  upon  such  thoughts. 
The  expedition  is  all  ready  to  start.  At  3  o'clock  it  is 
rather  chilly,  for  the  temperature  is  a  little  below  the 
ireezing  point,  as  the  puddles  in  the  road  are  covered 
with  thin  sheets  of  ice.  The  three  or  four  inches  of 
snow  that  fell  a  few  days  ago,  have  not  quite  disap 
peared,  and  as  all  the  little  depressions  in  the  roa'd  are 
filled  with  water  or  slush,  the  outlook  for  the  infantry 
and  artillery  is  not  very  cheerful.  But  a  few  hours 
marching  brought  us  daylight  and  into  a  region  where 
the  snow  and  ice  had  entirely  disappeared,  and  where 
the  roads  were  firmer  and  inclined  to  be  somewhat 
rocky.  By  ten  o'clock  we  had  struck  the  head  of  Cove 
Creek.  It  winds  through  the  mountains  in  a  south 
erly  direction,  and  as  it  is  fed  by  mountain  streams,  now 
regular  torrents,  it  of  course  increased  in  size  and 
volume  as  we  descended  it,  The  rapid  melting  of  the 
snow  in  the  mountains,  and  the  heavy  rain-fall  the  day 
before  we  set  out,  swelled  it  to  overflowing.  We  had 
crossed  it  when  we  bivouacked  at  ten  o'clock,that  night, 
according  to  my  count,  thirty-three  times.  "We  were 
on  the  march  the  next  morning  at  three  o'clock  and 
crossed  it  five  or  six  times  before  daylight.  We  had 
heard  that  we  should  be  obliged  to  cross  it  thirty-nine 


ON  THE   BORDER-1868.  51> 

times;  and  I  think  we  did.  This  would  be  crossing  it 
somewhat  more  than  once  every  mile  on  an  average. 
The  infantry,  when  they  first  came  to  it,  could  cross  it 
dry  shod,  by  stepping  from  stone  to  stone,  as  its  swift 
current  ran  splashing  and  foaming  along.  When  they 
crossed  it  the  next  time  they  got  their  feet  wet,  but 
kept  their  pantaloons  dry  by  turning  them  up.  The 
fourth  and  fifth  times  they  waded  it  with  their  shoes- 
on  and  their  trousers  rolled  up.  After  this  they  fenced 
against  the  waters  no  further,  except  to  see  to  it  that 
their  cartridge  boxes  were  kept  dry  inside,  and  they 
themselves  should  not  be  washed  down  the  swiftly 
running  current,  for  when  we  bivouacked  that  night 
at  the  most  favorable  crossings  that  could  be  found, 
the  water  was  well  nigh  to  the  armpits  of  the  men.  It 
was  almost  ice-cold,  for  it  came  mostly  from  melted 
snow  that  had  just  run  down  in  the  mountain  brooks. 
The  men,  however,  stood  this  extraordinary  day  and 
night's  march  without  a  murmur,  and  in  fact  from  con 
versations  with  several  infantry-men  just  before  we  biv 
ouacked,  appear  to  have  suffered  less  discomfort  than 
I  supposed  they  would.  Though  their  clothing  to- 
their  waists  was  wet  all  the  afternoon  and  evening,, 
the  physical  exercise  of  marching  kept  them  from  get 
ting  chilled.  Immediately  after  we  halted  that  night 
on  the  bank  of  Cove  Creek,  a  thousand  blazing  fires- 
were  kindled,  and  the  infantry-men 'dried  their  cloth 
ing  ;  and  food  and  a  refreshing  sleep  prepared  them  for 
the  next  day's  march,  which  would  determine  the  ob 
ject  and  success  or  failure  of  the  expedition.  A  few 


60  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

moments  after  the  bugle  sounded  the  halt,  I  rode  back 
towards  the  rear  of  the  column,  and  listened  to  the  con 
versations  of  the  men,  and  talked  to  some  of  them 
myself,  so  that  I  might  form  some  idea  of  the  feelings 
of  those  whose  march  had  been  so  disagreeable  and 
fatiguing,  for  we  had  marched  since  we  left  Rhea's 
Mills,  upwards  of  thirty  miles.  I  found  the  infantry 
men  quite  cheerful,  and  the  artillery  men  thought  that 
their  ammunition  had  not  been  perceptibly  damaged 
by  the  water  splashing  against  the  caissons.  Late  in 
the  evening  the  caissons  of  our  howitzers  were  de 
tached  and  put  into  an  ambulance  to  keep  the  amuni- 
tion  dry.  The  ambulances  had  been  obliged  to  take  up 
also  a  few  men  during  the  day,  but  the  number  was 
much  smaller  than  I  supposed  it  would  be.  After  the 
men  had  dried  their  clothing  and  taken  such  food  as 
their  appetites  demanded,  they  spread  their  blankets 
on  the  ground,  and  threw  themselves  upon  them,  and 
soon  sweet  sleep  closed  their  eyes,  and  they  were  wan 
dering  through  the  realms  of  dream  land.  If  during 
their  waking  moments  the  cares  and  fatigues  of  the 
day  had  prevented  their  thoughts  from  often  turning 
homewards,  no  doubt  but  that  in  their  calm  sleep  many 
dreamed  of  pleasant  conversations  with  their  families 
and  dear  relatives  and  friends  at  home,  And  perhaps 
pleasant  smiles  played  upon  the  faces  of  some  who,  in 
dreamland,  thought  that  they -were  watching  the  pranks 
of  their  rollicking  children.  Such  were  the  thoughts 
that  came  into  my  mind  concerning  my  comrades, 
until  gentle  sleep  came  to  me,  bringing  that  which  na 
ture  demanded  I  should  accept,  rest. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  61 

Within  a  space  of  less  than  two  miles,  in  a  narrow- 
gorge  in  the  mountains,  near  the  margin  of  the  noisy, 
foaming  and  gurgling  stream,  thus  slept  three  thou 
sand  men. 

At  three  o'clock  next  morning  the  bugles  soundedr 
and  in  a  few  moments  our  entire  force  was  in  readi 
ness  to  resume  the  march.  About  twenty  minutes, 
however,  were  given  us  to  feed  our  horses  and  take  such 
food  ourselves  as  would  satisfy  the  pinch  of  hunger. 
A  few  hours  of  refreshing  sleep  is  beyond  doubt  very 
beneficial  to  an  army,  after  constant  marching  all 
day.  The  sky  had  become  partly  overcast  during  the 
night,  so  that  it  was  pitch  dark  when  we  resumed  the 
march.  I  could  not  distinguish  the  color  of  my 
gray  horse  sitting  on  him.  The  proximity  of  the 
steep  sides  of  the  mountains  would  have  made  it 
quite  dark  even  had  it  been  a  clear  moonlight  night, 
unless  the  moon  had  been  high  in  the  heavens  near 
the  zenith.  Several  companies  of  the  Second  Kansas 
cavalry,  under  command  of  Col.  W.  F.  Cloud,  one  of 
the  most  dashing  cavalry  officers  of  our  division,  was 
given  the  advance.  Then  came  the  Sixth  Kansas- 
cavalry,  under  command  of  Col.  W.  K.  Judson,  with 
whom  I  rode.  As  already  mentioned,  we  crossed  the 
provoking  stream  five  or  six  times  before  daylight  and 
left  it,  having  passed  the  mountains.  In  the  course  of 
five  or  six  hours  Cove  Creek  had  run  down  consider 
ably;  still  it  was  up  to  the  bellies  of  our  horses,  and 
being  so  cold  was  anything  but  inviting  to  the  infan 
try.  They  probably  wished  it  was  not  necessary  ta 


62  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

take  a  cold  water  plunge  so  soon  after  awakening  from 
profound  sleep. 

But  when  we  crossed  Lee's  Creek  we  were  still  about 
twenty  miles  from  Van  Buren.  "We  continued  to 
inarch  along  leisurely,  occasionally  halting  a  few 
moments  to  allow  the  infantry  and  artillery  to  close 
up,  until  towards  eight  o'clock,  when  a  report  came 
along  the  column  that  our  advance  guard  had  come 
upon  the  enemy's  pickets  who,  on  discovering  us,  fled 
towards  their  camp  in  the  direction  of  Van  Buren. 
Our  advance  pursued  them  closely,  so  that  they  should 
not  reach  their  camp  in  time  to  give  the  rebel  troops 
many  moments  warning  of  our  approach.  Our  move 
ments  gradually  quickened,  and  shortly  our  cavalry 
was  in  full  gallop,  which  was  kept  up  for  five  or  six 
miles  and  until  we  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy's  camp 
at  Dripping  Springs.  In  the  meantime  Gen.  Blunt, 
who  had  kept  up  with  us,  sent  back  an  order  for  the 
artillery  and  infantry  to  move  forward  with  a  quick 
step.  The  enemy,  under  command  of  Col.  Crump,  of 
a  Texas  cavalry  regiment,  were  encamped  along  the 
north  side  of  a  hill,  and  immediately  north  of  their 
camp  were  several  fields  with  intermediate  spaces 
covered  with  undergrowths  of  woods.  But  when  we 
came  to  the  fences  inclosing  the  fields,  there  was 
scarcely  a  moment's  delay,  for  they  were  instantly 
thrown  down  and  we  came  into  line  of  battle  in  a  trot, 
and  charged  across  the  field  in  a  full  gallop,  and  when 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  enemy's  camp,  delivered  a 
volley  into  the  ranks  of  those  who  had  formed  in  line 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  63 

and  thought  of  making  a  stand.  The  Second  Kansas 
cavalry  took  the  left  of  our  line,  and  the  Sixth  Kansas 
cavalry  and  several  companies  of  the  Third  Wisconsin 
cavalry  the  right.  After  firing  a  few  rounds  from  our 
carbines,  Gen.  Blunt  ordered  the  bugles  to  sound  the 
charge,  and  with  gleaming  sabres  we  dashed  forward 
like  a  whirlwind,  throwing  up  a  perfect  cloud  of  dust. 
The  enemy  did  not  wait  to  feel  the  edges  of  our 
sabres,  but  fled  in  the  direction  of  Van  Burcn,  and  in 
their  flight  left  their  tents,  camp,  and  supplies  of  every 
kind  in  our  possession. 

After  charging  through  theij  camp  we  could  not  pre 
serve  our  line  of  battle  in  perfect  order,  on  account  of  the 
broken  condition  of  the  ground.  Nor  was  it  necessary 
as  the  enemy  had  broken  up  completely,  and  thought 
only  of  saving  themselves.  We  were  cautious,  however^ 
as  we  did  not  know  but  that  they  had  formed  another 
line  back  some  distance,  withfthe  determination  of  con 
testing  our  advance.  The  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry  and 
Third  Wisconsin  cavalry,  therefore,  moved  right 
straight  forward  over  the  steep  hill  south  of  their  camp. 
But  when  we  were  passing  down  the  southern  slope  of 
the  hill,  we  saw  from  the  clouds  of  dust  hanging  over 
the  high  road  leading  to  Yan  Bur  en,  that  they  had  no 
intention  of  making  a  stand  short  of  that  place.  We 
also  learned  from  several  rebel  soldiers  and  teamsters, 
whom  we  had  captured,  that  they  were  completely  sur 
prised,  and  that  their  retreat  had  become  a  stampede. 
We  now  changed  from  line  of  battle  to  columns  of 
fours,  and  struck  the  gallop  again,  preserving  such  or- 


64:  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

^ 

der  as  was  possible,  and  chased  the  flying  enemy  to 
Yan  Buren,  and  when  they  passed  through  the  city 
we  were  right  at  their  heels.  General  Blunt  sent  out 
detachments  of  cavalry  on  both  sides  of  the  main  road 
to  scour  the  country  and  pick  up  their  stragglers.  If 
the  city  had  any  Home  Guards  or  military  organiza 
tion  to  defend  it,  the  men  disappeared  on  our 
approach.  We  therefore  followed  the  enemy  right 
through  the  city,  making  the  dust  fly  in  the  streets  so 
that  they  had  no  time  to  form  in  line,  or  to  take  the 
steamboats  lying  at  the  wharves  to  cross  the  river,  but 
continued  their  flight  on  the  road  along  the  north  bank 
of  the  Arkansas.  A  squad  of  rebels,  however,  attempted 
to  escape  over  the  river  on  a  horse-power  ferry,  but 
they  had  scarcely  reached  the  middle  of  the  stream 
when  they  were  discovered.  The  two  mountain  how 
itzers  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  which  had  kept  up 
with  us  during  the  entire  chase,  were  immediately 
brought  down  to  the  wharf,  and  after  firing  several  fuse 
shells  at  the  boat,  struck  the  horse  at  the  wheel  and 
killed  him.  Another  shell  exploded,  wounding  several 
men.  As  the  boat  had  by  this  time  got  into  shallow 
water,  the  rest  of  the  men  jumped  overboard  and 
escaped.  Four  steamboats  with  cargoes  of  supplies 
for  the  rebel  army,  on  the  first  signal  of  our  approach, 
got  up  steam  and  made  an  effort  to  escape  down  the 
river.  Two  of  them  had  proceeded  a  mile  or  so  down 
the  river,  but  as  the  channel  now  changed  to  near  the 
north  bank,  and  as  our  cavalry  and  one  of  our  howit 
zers  were  waiting  for  them,  a  single  shot  from  the 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  65 

howitzer  convinced  the  officers  that  it  was  useless  to 
make  further  efforts  to  escape,  and  hastened  to  display 
a  white  flag.  The  boats  were  boarded  by  several  of 
our  officers  and  two  squads  of  soldiers,  and  then 
directed  to  steam  back  up  the  river  to  Yan  Buren.  The 
other  two  boats  did  not  get  more  than  a  half  mile  be 
low  the  city,  as  they  were  detained  some  time  in  en 
deavoring  to  find  a  landing  on  the  opposite  shore  for 
a  party  of  rebel  officers  and  citizens  they  had  taken 
aboard.  They  got  near  enough  to  shore,  however,  to 
allow  nearly  all  the  rebels  to  escape  in  small  boats.  It 
was  the  intention  to  also  leave  the  steamboats  at  a 
landing  near  the  opposite  shore,  bat,  as  the  engineers 
and  officers  had  not  left  them,  they  were  compelled, 
when  the  two  lower  boats  came  up  with  the  armed 
Federal  soldiers  on  board,  to  get  up  steam  and  take 
their  boats  back  to  the  city. 

The  pursuit  of  the  flying  enemy  having  been  given 
up,  our  cavalry  having  returned  to  the  city,  and  the 
boats  having  been  made  fast  to  their  moorings,  we  dis 
mounted  on  vacant  lots  and  squares,  and  soon  found 
abundance  of  forage  for  our  tired  and  hungry  horses. 
Nor  had  we  any  difficulty  in  replenishing  our  haversacks 
from  the  rebel  commissary  supplies.  Such  of  the  non- 
combatant  population  as  showed  themselves  seemed 
perfectly  amazed.  A  few  hours  before  their  city  was 
as  peaceful  as  the  mist  we  had  lately  seen  resting  on 
the  mountain  side.  No  one  dreamed  that  the  u  Yan 
kee"  foe  was  rapidly  approaching;  and  being  a  bright 
Sunday  morning  many  of  the  good  people  had  been  to 
5 


66  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

church,  and  were  just  returning  home  when  the  alarm 
was  given  that  we  were  near  at  hand. 

Immediately  after  the  boats  had  been  made  fast, 
several  more  of  our  officers  went  aboard  them  to  ex 
amine  their  cargoes  and  to  obtain  such  information  as 
they  could  get  from  those  who  had  remained  in  charge 
of  them,  in  regard  to  the  strength,  movements  and  in 
tentions  of  the  rebel  army  in  the  vicinity.  As  we 
seemed  to  be  in  quiet  possession  of  the  city,  a  good 
many  of  our  officers  and  soldiers  left  their  horses  where 
they  had  dismounted  to  feed  them,  a  few  blocks  back 
from  the  river,  and  also  came  down  to  the  river  front 
to  look  at  the  captured  boats.  Col.  Judson  and  I  had 
just  walked  down  and  were  taking  a  survey  of  the  sit 
uation  and  talking  over  the  exciting  transactions  of  the 
morning,  when  suddenly  the  sound  of  artillery  re 
sounded  in  our  ears,  and  then  an  instant  after,  with  a 
crash  came  a  solid  shot  or  shell,  striking  the  ground  not 
more  than  two  or  three  yards  from  us.  After  an  interval 
of  a  few  seconds  there  came  another,  and  still  another, 
and  we  looked  in  the  direction  from  whence  they  came 
and  saw  a  rebel  battery  near  the  opposite  shore  and 
the  smoke  rising  from  it.  We  retired  to  our  horses  to 
await  orders.  Gen.  Hindman,  having  heard  by  tele 
graph  or  special  messenger  that  we  were  in  Van  Bu- 
ren,  sent  down  from  Fort  Smith  a  force  of  artillery  and 
infantry  to  let  us  know  that  he  was  there.  But  in  the 
meantime  our  infantry  and  artillery  were  coming  up 
and  soon  arrived  on  the  heights  overlooking  the  city, 
the  river  and  the  country  far  off  to  the  south.  It  was 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  67 

now  perhaps  after  two  o'clock,  and  the  artillery  duel 
over  the  river  immediately  commenced  and  lasted  un 
til  dark.  The  distance,  however,  which  separated  the 
combatants  was  so  great  that  no  loss  was  sustained  by 
our  troops,  and  probably  not  much  by  the  enemy.  The 
shot  and  shell  from  the  enemy's  guns  fell  short  of 
our  position  on  the  heights  of  the  city.  But  the  per 
cussion  shells  from  our  rifled  guns  I  could  see  flew 
over  the  river  and  struck  very  near  where  the  enemy's 
batteries  were  posted.  I  could  not  see  whether  they 
inflicted  any  damage  to  the  enemy,  as  they  were  cov 
ered  by  the  timber.  Whenever  one  of  our  percussion 
shells  struck  a  tree  or  solid  object,  I  could  see  by  the 
smoke  that  arose  that  it  exploded  with  terriffic  vio 
lence.  It  was  not  necessary  for  our  cavalry  to  make 
any  material  change  in  position  after  the  cannonade 
opened,  as  it  was  covered  by  blocks  of  brick  buildings. 
Some  of  the  officers  and  soldiers,  however,  desired  to 
occupy  positions  where  they  could  get  a  good  view  of 
the  rebel  batteries.  Late  in  the  afternoon  the  echo  of 
the  thundering  artillery  seemed  to  roll  down  the  river 
to  a  great  distance,  gradually  growing  fainter  until  it 
had  died  away. 

While  we  were  not  much  disturbed  by  their  can 
nonade,  the  people  of  Van  Buren  were  greatly  agita 
ted;  and  well  they  might  be,  for  it  was  their  friends 
who  were  firing  shot  and  shell  into  their  city,  and  en 
dangering  their  lives.  We  felt  somewhat  surprised  that 
Gen.  Hindman  should  have  permitted  the  shelling  of 
the  city  without  any  warning  to  the  inhabitants,  in- 


68  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

asmuch  as  they  were  nearly  all  his  own  people.  Even 
we,  as  enemies,  would  not  have  committed  such  an  act 
without  giving  the  women  and  children  and  old  men 
an  opportunity  of  leaving  the  city.  I  heard  that  sev 
eral  persons,  women  and  children,  were  killed  and  injur 
ed  by  exploding  shells  from  the  enemy's  guns.  I  was 
unable,  however,  to  collect  exact  information  of  the 
casualties  in  the  city,  as  we  were  under  strict  orders 
to  observe  great  vigilance.  It  was  not  known  but 
that  Gen.  Hindman  would  show  fight,  as  we  under 
stood  that  he  had  an  army  of  ten  or  twelve  thousand 
men  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Smith.  Night  came 
on,  and  we  could  see  from  the  heights  of  the  city  to 
the  heights  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  that  the  en 
emy  were  displaying  great  activity  from  some  cause. 
But  whether  they  were  retreating  or  concentrating 
their  forces  at  some  point  in  the  vicinity,  we  were  un 
able  to  decide. 

After  dark,  the  enemy  withdrew  his  batteries  and 
the  thundering  of  the  artillery  ceased.  And  now  the 
disposition  of  the  contraband  property  awaited  the 
orders  of  Gen.  Blunt.  The  steamboats,  after  taking 
from  them  such  supplies  as  he  wished  to  take  back 
with  us,  he  ordered  burned.  Before  setting  fire  to 
them  a  number  of  officers  and  men  were  permit 
ted  to  take  from  them  something  of  insignificant 
value,  to  serve  as  a  memento  of  the  expedition.  I 
got  a  blank  book  from  the  "  Steamer  Rose  Douglas  " 
to  keep  my  Chronicles  of  our  operations.  The  burn 
ing  of  the  boats  made  a  tremendous  fire,  and  lighted 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  69 

up  the  country  for  miles  around.  When  the  flames, 
which  were  soon  climbing  high  in  the  sky,  were  first 
noticed  by  the  people,  they  thought  we  were  going  to 
burn  the  city.  But  their  fears  were  soon  dispelled 
when  they  were  assured  that  only  the  destruction  of 
contraband  property  was  intended.  Private  property 
was  respected.  Though  the  population  of  the  city  is 
perhaps  upwards  of  two  thousand,  yet  I  did  not  hear 
of  a  single  complaint  of  trespassing  upon  private 
premises;  or  of  any  rude  conduct  of  our  officers  or 
soldiers  towards  the  ladies  of  Yan  Buren.  I  speak  of 
this  with  some  pride,  for  I  found  that  the  non-combat 
ants  were  strongly  impressed  with  the  notion  that  our 
•Kansas  troops  were  a  kind  of  Vandals  or  barbarians, 
lawless,  and  utterly  disregarded  the  methods  and  us 
ages  of  civilized  warfare.  As  our  division  is  compos 
ed  of  Kansas  troops,  with  the  exceptions  already  noted, 
I  think  we  may  justly  feel  proud  of  their  conduct  up 
on  every  field,  and  of  the  results  of  the  campaign  up 
to  this  point.  Since  we  attacked  the  enemy  in  the 
last  engagement  at  Newtonia  on  the  4th  of  October, 
we  have  driven  him,  step  by  step,  before  us;  so  that 
now  there  is  not  a  rebel  organized  force  north  of  the 
Arkansas  River,  excepting  guerrilla  bands.  But  not 
withstanding  the  series  of  splendid  achievements,  we 
hear  that  Gen.  Blunt  lias  made  this  expedition  in  the 
face  of  orders  to  fall  back  from  Rhea's  Mills  to  the 
southern  line  of  Missouri. 

If  this  be  true,  it  is  to  be  deeply  regretted,  for  our 
toils  in  this  campaign  will  count  for  almost  nothing; 


70  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

and  we  surrender  back  to  the  enemy  all  that  we  have 
gained.  I  do  not  believe  that,  if  the  Department 
Commander  thoroughly  understood  the  situation  here, 
he  would  permit  this  army  to  abandon  this  section 
after  we  have  gained  it  at  the  cost  of  so  many  bloody 
contests.  Though  we  have  reliable  information  that 
the  enemy  are  greatly  demoralized ;  yet  if  we  fair  back 
from  our  present  position,  it  will  be  almost  equivalent 
to  a  defeat  on  the  field,  and  he  will  doubtless  feel  en 
couraged  to  quickly  organize  his  shattered  forces  and 
follow  us  up. 

At  eight  o'clock  we  received  orders  to  be  in  readi 
ness  to  march  the  next  morning  (29),  at  seven  o'clock, 
on  our  return  to  Rhea's  Mills.  But  before  we  com 
mence  our  return  march,  let  us  take  a  glance  at 
Dripping  Springs.  When  we  passed  through  the 
rebel  camp  there,  it  was  about  nine  o'clock,  and  the 
rebel  soldiers  had  apparently  just  finished  their 
breakfasts,  for  their  mess  pans,  camp  kettles,  etc., 
indicated  that  their  cooks  had  not  yet  "  washed  their 
dishes."  Their  tents  were  standing  just  as  they  had 
occupied  them;  and  broken  gunstocks  lay  scattered 
over  the  camp,  showing  that  they  had  given  a  moment 
to  the  destruction  of  such  property  as  they  could  not 
take  with  them.  A  number  of  teams  were  harnessed 
and  ready  for  some  service  when  we  came  upon  them, 
for  on  the  road  to  Yaii  JBuren  I  saw  not  less  than 
twenty  wagons  partially  upset  and  in  attitudes  show 
ing  that  they  had  been  suddenly  abandoned  by  having 
the  mules  or  horses  cut  loose  from  them  to  enable  the 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  71 

driver  and  parties  in  them  to  escape.  Articles  of 
camp  and  garrison  equipage,  and  even  ammunition, 
lay  scattered  upon  the  road  all  the  way  to  Yan  Buren. 
When  we  reached  the  city,  the  enemy's  Military  Tele 
graph  was  in  perfect  working  order,  but  I  did  not  hear 
whether  Gen.  Blunt  sent  his  compliments  to  Gen. 
Hindman  or  not.  He  could  have  done  it  had  not  more 
important  matters  occupied  his  attention.  The  cir 
cuit,  however,  was  soon  broken  on  the  Little  Rock  as 
well  as  on  the  Fort  Smith  end  of  the  line. 

On  the  morning  of  the  29th  we  set  out  on  our 
return  march  to  Rhea's  Mills.  Many  of  the  soldiers 
had  their  haversacks  crammed  with  sugar  and  the 
best  things  the  enemy's  commissariat  afforded.  The 
troops  and  animals  had  a  bountiful  supper  and  break 
fast,  and  a  good  night's  rest,  and  seemed  as  fresh  as  if 
they  had  been  in  camp  a  month.  Guards  were  posted 
during  the  night  at  every  necessary  point,  so  that  we 
would  not  be  subject  to  surprise  by  the  enemy. 

The  expedition  accomplished  all  that  could  be 
reasonably  expected  of  it.  We  did  not  capture  many 
prisoners,  but  we  destroyed  a  large  amount  of  rebel 
public  property,  and  property  pressed  into  rebel 
service  by  the  Confederate  authorities ;  besides  bring 
ing  away  with  us  considerable  quantities  of  such  of  the 
captured  supplies  as  we  can  use. 

While  the  ladies  of  Van  Buren  did  not,  as  far  as  I 
know,  take  pleasure  in  expressing  their  hatred  of 
"Yankees"  as  they  call  us  in  that  section,  or  show  by 
their  actions  that  they  hated  us  at  all,  yet  I  think  that 


72  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

they  are  nearly  all  strong  adherents  of  the  Southern 
cause.  If  there  were  any  Union  families  in  the  city 
at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  they  probably  managed 
to  move  north  long  before  we  arrived. 

We  bid  good-bye  to  Yan  Buren,  but  not  without 
thoughts  of  returning  again  to  stay  until  this  contest 
shall  have  been  decided.  Our  return  march  was  con 
ducted  leisurely;  the  weather  was  pleasant  and  warm, 
and  Cove  Creek,  the  winding  mountain  stream,  had 
fallen  almost  to  its  ordinary  dimensions  arid  volume, 
so  that  the  infantry  were  much  less  inconvenienced  in 
crossing  and  re-crossing  it  than  when  we  came  out  on 
the  27th.  They  were  nearly  three  days  on  the  march 
to  Ehea's  Mills.  Most  of  the  cavalry,  however,  got 
in  on  the  evening  of  the  30th. 

Thus  ended  the  expedition  to  Yan  Buren,  and  in 
fact  the  campaign  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier  in 
northwestern  Arkansas. 

An  expedition  of  nearly  two  thousand  men,  mostly 
Indians,  and  a  section  of  light  artillery,  were  sent  out 
under  Col.  W.  A.  Phillips,  about  the  time  we  left 
Khea's  Mills,  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Gibson.  After 
a  short  engagement,  Col.  Phillips  captured  and  de 
stroyed  Fort  Davis  near  Fort  Gibson,  on  which  the 
Confederate  Government  expended  upwards  of  a  mil 
lion  dollars.  In  point  of  importance,  the  success  of  his 
expedition  deserves  to  be  set  down  among  the  splendid 
achievements  of  the  campaign. 

Old  Year!  I  bid  you  adieu.  When  some  future  his 
torian  writes  of  the  great  events  which  have  turned  the 


ON  THE   BORDER.— 1863.  73 

eyes  of  the  civilized  world  to  this  country,  he  will  surely 
turn  to  you  as  having  witnessed  the  greatest  events  in 
the  history  of  our  Government.  You  have  brought 
sadness  to  the  hearts  of  thousands  of  our  people  this 
night.  I  know,  too,  that  in  the  hospitals  near  me 
there  are  hundreds  of  comrades,  and  among  them  my 
brother,  whose  hearts  ache  with  the  thought  that  they 
will  never  again  see  the  faces  and  sweet  smiles  of  affec 
tion  of  those  dearest  to  them  in  this  world.  The  lights 
of  many  noble  lives  are  going  out  with  you.  OLD  YEAR, 

FAREWELL ! 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  First  Division  Army  of  the  Frontier  moves  from  Rhea's  Mills 
to  Elm  Springs — All  the  Federal  wounded  in  the  Field  Hos 
pitals  at  Prairie  Grove  removed  to  Fayetteville — General 
Blunt  Relieved  and  starts  North— General  Schofield  takes 
command  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier — Future  Operations  to 
be  conducted  according  to  West  Point  tactics — The  Army  to 
retreat  to  the  Missouri  line — Reorganization  of  the  Army — 
Colonel  W.  A.  Phillips  to  command  the  Indian  Division — A 
Battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry  and  Captain  Hopkin's 
Battery  to  go  with  it — Grand  Review  of  the  Army  of  the 
Frontier  by  General  Schofield — The  author's  last  visit  to  his 
brother  in  the  General  Hospital  at  Fayetteville— The  Reduc 
tion  of  Transportation — Order  from  War  Department  for 
Recruiting  several  loyal  Arkansas  Regiments — General 
Marmaduke  marching  on  Springfield — The  Army  of  the 
Frontier  on  the  march,  except  the  Indian  Division. 

Hail,  Happy  New  Year!  I  welcome  you;  though 
I  know  not  what  you  have  in  store  for  us.  We  have 
no  seer  or  prophet  to  unfold  to  us  in  doubtful  and 
mysterious  language  the  most  important  events  which 
you  will  disclose  to  us  in  due  time.  But  we  have 
reason  to  hope  that,  with  honesty  of  purpose  and  per 
sistence  in  the  right,  on  the  part  of  our  leaders  and  of 
each  of  us,  we  shall  have  made  substantial  progress  in 
accomplishing  the  objects  for  which  we  are  striving, 
when  you  shall  have  expired. 

The  New  Year  was  ushered  in  by  a  national  salute 


ON   THE   BORDER— 1863.  75 

fired  from  the  batteries  of  General  Herron's  Division 
still  encamped  on  the  battle-field  of  Prairie  Grove.  But 
to  the  soldier  in  the  field,  in  camp  and  on  the  march,  it 
has  no  more  significance  than  any  other  day.  It  is 
impossible  for  him  to  observe  the  forms  of  polite  soci 
ety.  His  feelings  of  happiness  find  expression  in  a 
sterner  manner  than  that  of  flying  around  in  full  dress 
suit,  kid  gloves  and  swallow  tail  coat,  and  in  indulging- 
in  pretty  conceits  with  charming  maidens.  He  takes 
more  pleasure  in  relating  to  his  comrades  around  the 
camp  fire  some  adventure  in  which  he  took  a  part,  or 
some  hair-breadth  escape ;  how,  for  instance,  he  grasped 
the  guidon  or  standard  from  the  hand  of  a  fallen  com 
rade,  while  the  enemy's  bullets  were  flying  around  his 
head  as  thick  as  hail.  With  all  the  hardships  and 
dangers  which  war  entails  on  the  soldier  in  the  field, 
his  disposition  is  generally  not  only  not  gloomy,  but 
on  the  contrary,  cheerful  and  happy.  No  doubt  sad 
thoughts  flit  through  his  mind  in  regard  to  loved  ones 
at  home,  but  as  fresh  excitements  are  coming  up  every 
day,  and  as  old  battle  scenes  and  incidents  have  to  be 
gone  over  occasionally,  his  mind  is  never  allowed  to 
dwell  long  on  those  ideal  pictures  which  have  a  natu 
ral  tendency  to  produce  gloominess. 

The  rumor  that,  on  the  return  of  our  division  from 
Yan  Buren,  the  Army  of  the  Frontier  would  move 
north-ward,  turned  out  to  be  true.  On  the  morning  of 
January  2d,  1863,  the  First  Division  struck  tents,  left 
Khea's  Mills,  and  took  up  a  line  of  march  for  Elm 
Springs,  about  twenty-two  miles  north.  The  General 


76  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

Hospitals  were  established  at  Fayetteville  several  days 
ago,  and  most  of  the  sick  and  wounded  have  been  re 
moved  there.  It  is  the  chief  town  in  northwestern 
Arkansas,  and  is  capable  of  affording  much  better  facil 
ities  for  properly  caring  for  sick  and  wounded  soldiers 
than  could  easily  be  provided  at  Rhea's  Mills  or  Prairie 
Grove.  When  it  is  possible,  I  think  our  surgeons  pre 
fer  substantial  buildings  for  hospitals  to  the  Field  Hos 
pital  tent.  If  we  were  in  railroad  communication 
with  the  rest  of  the  country,  a  good  many  of  our 
wounded  could  be  sent  to  their  homes,  where  they 
would  have  loving  wives,  mothers,  daughters  and 
friends  to  look  after  them.  Those  who  are  conscious 
that  they  will  never  recover  from  their  wounds  or  sick 
ness,  often  give  vent  to  the  expression,  that  they  would 
be  perfectly  content  to  die  if  they  could  only  be  per 
mitted  to  die  at  home,  surrounded  by  their  families 
and  friends.  If  a  youn^  man  gets  severely  wounded, 
the  first  thing  he  thinks  of  is  his  mother  or  his  sweet 
heart;  if  a  married  man,  his  wife  and  children.  But 
a  grateful  government  will  not  neglect  to  provide 
justly  for  the  widow  and  orphaned  children,  or  mother 
of  the  soldier  who  dies  in  defense  of  his  country.  All 
this  intense  longing  for  the  affectionate  regard  of  those 
at  home  we  know  is  not  unappreciated.  The  letters 
we  receive  from  time  to  time  from  our  relatives  and 
friends,  are  teeming  with  love  and  affection,  and  are 
convincing  enough  that  there  are  lacerated  hearts  at 
home  as  well  as  in  the  field.  It  is  the  consciousness 
that  there  exists  these  loves  and  affections  that  touches 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  7T 

so  deeply  the  heart  of  the  soldier;  and  I  believe  it  is 
these  strong  affections  that  make  the  effective  soldier, 
for  he  feels  that  he  is  fighting  for  the  protection  and 
happiness  of  those  he  loves,  and  whose  lives  are  as- 
dear  to  him  as  his  own  life.  If  he  thought  that  by 
going  to  war  it  would  ultimately  subject  his  family  to- 
greater  peril,  and  bring  upon  it  greater  unhappiness, 
he  would  not  go.  We  regard  a  man  as  having  lost  his 
manhood  if  he  shows  no  concern  for  the  happiness 
and  well-being  of  his  family.  And  in  social  organiza 
tion  the  family  is  the  social  or  political  unit,  and  what 
ever  weakens  family  ties  and  interests  must  in  time 
weaken  the  social  fabric. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2nd  we  camped  on  Wild 
Cat  Creek,  having  marched  a  distance  of  about  six 
teen  miles  from  Rheas  Mills.  A  heavy  rain  last  night 
put  the  roads  in  bad  condition  for  our  trains  and  artil 
lery.  But  as  there  is  no  necessity  for  rapid  movement, 
and  as  our  backs  are  turned  towards  the  enemy's  heels, 
we  can  afford  to  march  leisurely,  so  as  not  to  injure  or 
break  down  our  animals.  Officers  and  men  who  have 
served  in  a  campaign  like  that  we  have  just  closed, 
soon  learn  how  important  it  is  to  take  every  possible 
care  of  their  cavalry,  artillery  and  draught  animals. 
We  arrived  at  Elm  Springs  on  the  3rd,  and  there  seems 
to  be  a  prospect  of  our  remaining  here  several  days,  as 
we  hear  that  there  is  going  to  be  shortly  a  reorganiza 
tion  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier.  Gen.  Blunt  has  been 
relieved,  and  bade  his  troops  farewell  to-day,  and,  with 
his  staff  and  escort,  started  to  Forts  Scott  and  Leaven- 


78  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

worth.     On  account  of  his  personal  bravery  and  the 
brilliant  achievements  of  his  campaign,  he  has  greatly 
endeared  himself  to  his  troops.     I  speak  from  person 
al  knowledge  of  his  bravery.     He  was  to  the  front  all 
day  during  the  battle  of  Cane  Hill,  and  was  only  a  few 
yards  from  Col.  Jewell  when  he  fell  mortally  wounded. 
At  Prairie  Grove  too,  he  was  on  the  field  all  the  after- 
noon  in  dangerous  positions,  directing  the  movements 
of  his  troops.     And  at  Dripping  Springs  he  was  at 
the  front  with  us  when  we  charged  the  enemy's  camp, 
and  rode  with  the  advance  squadrons  when  we  dashed 
into  Van  Buren.     How  well  he  would  succeed   in  a 
campaign  which  required  of  the  Commanding  General 
that  every  movement  of  his   troops   should  be   made 
with  a  distinct  but  involved  end  in  view,  I,  of  course, 
have  no  means  of  knowing.     He  is  probably  able  to 
meet  any  movement  his  opponents  are  able   to   make 
on   the   military  chess   board.      My  own   impression, 
however,  is,  that  if  a  campaign  in  this  section  were  con 
ducted  according  to  the  military  science  taught  at  West 
Point,  and   embodied  in   General   Schofield,  the  ene 
my  could  soon  put  us  on  the  defensive,  and  we  should 
never  accomplish  anything  except  our  destruction.     If 
military  science  is  a  common  sense  view  of  contending 
with  your  foe,  of  warding  off  his  blows  and  of  strik 
ing  him  most  effectively,  I  believe  in  it.     But  if  it  be 
a  mysterious   method  of  directing   the  movements  of 
troops,  which  no  one  can    understand  unless  he  be  a 
graduate  of  West  Point,  then  I  have  little  confidence 
in  it.     A  special  education  for  a  special  purpose  is  al- 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  79 

ways  desirable,  and  a  military  education  no  doubt 
qualifies  men  for  organizing  and  skillfully  handling 
large  bodies  of  troops  in  time  of  war;  but  there  seems 
to  be  such  a  tendency  among  the  graduates  of  West 
Point  to  want  to  do  something  incomprehensible  to  the 
common  mind,  as  to  make  many  of  them  utter  failures. 
Perhaps  only  a  small  percentage  of  each  graduating 
class  display  any  special  aptitude  for  military  science, 
or  for  any  particular  arm  of  the  military  service.  It 
amounts  to  this,  a  blockhead  sent  to  West  Point  is  as 
apt  to  come  out  a  blockhead  as  if  he  had  been  sent  to 
any  other  school.  If  a  boy  who  has  a  natural  mili 
tary  genius  goes  to  the  Military  Academy  and  gradu 
ates,  and  afterwards  has  an  opportunity  to  develop  his 
military  genius,  I  think  the  chances  are  that  he  will 
make  a  great  military  commander.  Such  special  apti 
tudes  may  be  inherited  through  a  line  of  ancestors,  or 
they  may  be  due  to  powerful  antenatal  influences. 
Napoleon's  military  genius  is  said  to  have  been  due  to 
the  latter  cause. 

General  John  M.  Schofield  assumed  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Frontier  on  the  4th.  I  understand  that 
he  has  virtually  been  in  command  of  it  since  our  re 
turn  from  Yaii  Buren.  Had  he  arrived  here  a  few 
days  sooner,  it  is  probable  that  the  expedition  to  Yan 
Buren  would  never  have  been  made.  He  is  a  gradu 
ate  of  the  Military  Academy,  and  I  suppose  that  mil- 
tary  operations  will  now  be  conducted  according  to 
the  military  science  taught  at  West  Point.  We  shall 
see.  In  the  first  place  it  seems  that  we  are  already 


80  MEMOLRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

under  orders  to  continue  our  march  further  northward, 
though  there  is  not  an  officer  or  soldier  in  our  divis 
ion  who  does  not  feel  sure  in  his  own  mind  that  there 
is  not  an  organized  force  of  the  enemy  in  western  Ar 
kansas,  north  of  the  river.  If  this  be  true,  and  the 
Commanding  General  should  know  whether  it  is  or 
not,  then  why  continue  to  fall  back  and  give  up  the 
country  we  have  gained  at  the  cost  of  so  many  lives 
and  of  so  much  toil  and  suffering?  Is  it  because  the 
present  Commanding  General  did  not  direct  the 
movements  of  our  army  in  gaining  the  splendid  vic 
tories  that  we  have  won?  The  jealousies  of  military 
rivals  have  already  in  other  instances  been  a  curse  to 
our  arms. 

The  reorganization  of  the  Army  of  the  Frontier, 
which  I  have  already  mentioned  as  probable,  is  to  take 
place  immediately.  General  F.  J.  Herron  is  to  com 
mand  the  second  and  third  divisions,  Colonel  William 
Weir,  Tenth  Kansas  infantry,  the  first  division,  and 
Colonel  William  A.  Phillips,  Third  Indian  regiment, 
the  Indian  division,  consisting  of  all  the  Indian  troops, 
one  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry rand  Captain 
Hopkin's  battery  formerly  attached  to  Colonel  Cloud's 
brigade.  With  this  force  I  understand  that  Colonel 
Phillips  will  take  up  a  position  near  Maysville, 
Benton  county,  Arkansas,  a  little  town  right  on  the 
line  of  the  Cherokee  Nation.  I  have  been  assigned  to 
duty  as  Commissary  Sergeant  of  this  battalion  of  the 
Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  and  directed  to  report  to 
Captain  John  W.  Orahood,  the  senior  officer.  Lieu- 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  gj 

tenant  John  S.  Lane,  the  Kegimental  Commissary, 
accompanies  the  other  battalion,  together  with  the 
other  field  and  staff  officers  of  our  regiment. 

On  the  6th,  General  Schofield  arrived  at  Elm  Springs 
for  the  purpose  of  reviewing  the  First  Division 
before  any  important  movement  shall  have  been  made. 
The  different  arms  of  the  service  are  therefore  actively 
engaged  in  making  preparations  for  the  Grand  Keview 
to-morrow.  This  is  a  kind  of  military  luxury  of  which 
we  have  had  very  little  experience.  During  the 
autumn  of  1861,  however,  when  we  were  in  General 
James  H.  Lane's  command,  we  had  several  reviews 
and  sham  battles.  But  since  then  we  have  had 
nothing  on  as  extensive  a  scale  as  that  which  is  to  take 
place  to-morrow.  All  the  men  reported  present  for 
duty  of  the  following  organizations,  are  ordered  to 
turn  out  with  their  arms  and  equipments  complete, 
to-wit :  Cavalry,  Second,  Sixth  arid  Ninth  Kansas,  and 
Third  Wisconsin;  infantry— Tenth,  Eleventh  and 
Thirteenth  Kansas,  and  Ninth  Wisconsin;  First, 
Second  and  Third  Indian  regiments;  artillery— Capt. 
Eabbs,  Second  Indiana  battery,  First  and  Second  Kan 
sas  batteries,  and  Captain  Hopkin's  four  gun  battery, 
which  was  captured  from  the  enemy,  besides  two 
twelve-pound  howitzer  batteries,  attached  to  the  Sixth 
and  Ninth  regiments  Kansas  cavalry,  respectively. 

Well,  the  gala  day  is  over;  we  have  had  the  Grand 
Keview,  and  I  think  that  we  made  a  very  creditable 
appearance.  We  formed  in  line  in  an  open  field,  and 
the  ground  is  rather  favorable,  considering  the  general 


•82  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

broken  condition  of  the  country,  for  reviewing  an  army 
no  larger  than  ours.  After  we  had  gone  through  a 
few  evolutions  upon  the  field,  we  then  formed  in  line, 
and  in  a  short  time  General  Schofield  and  staff,  and 
several  mounted  messengers,  galloped  along  our  front 
and  took  up  a  position  near  our  extreme  right.  Some 
of  the  soldiers  within  my  hearing  remarked,  looking 
at  their  gay  uniforms  as  they  passed  along,  "Too 
much  fuss  and  feathers  for  a  fighting  general.  "  The 
whole  command  then  formed  in  columns  of  companies, 
and  marched  by  the  place  where  General  Scofield  and 
staff  had  posted  themselves.  The  brass  bands,  march 
ing  at  the  head  of  brigades  and  playing  soul-stirring 
airs,  give  additional  interest  to  the  fine  display  made 
by  the  troops.  Thus  ended  the  Grand  Review,  after 
which  we  marched  to  our  respective  camps.  This  is 
probably  the  last  time  the  first  Division  will  ever  all  be 
together.  It  seems  to  be  the  intention  to  break  it  up 
into  brigades  and  detachments,  and  to  scatter  these 
along  the  southern  border  counties  of  Missouri  and 
northern  Arkansas.  If  we  are  not  going  to  make  any 
effort  to  hold  a  more  advanced  position,  or  even  our 
present  position,  or  if  we  are  no  longer  to  assume  the 
offensive,  perhaps  to  scatter  the  troops  in  this  manner 
is  the  best  policy. 

This  morning  (the  8th)  General  Schofield,  staff  and 
escort  left  for  Fayetteville,  as  I  understand  to  review 
the  second  and  third  divisions  under  command  of 
General  Herron.  It  does  not  appear  that  General 
Schofield  has  established  any  headquarters  here  with 


ON   TOE   BORDER— 1863.  83 

the  army.  It  is  therefore  thought  that  his  presence 
here  is  only  temporary,  and  that  after  he  shall  have 
made  such  disposition  of  his  troops  as  in  his  judgment 
seems  best,  that  he  will  return  to  Springfield  or 
St.  Louis. 

As  we  shall  march  away  from  here  in  two  or  three 
days,  I  obtained  permission  to  go  to  Fayetteville  to-day 
to  see  my  brother  who  is  in  the  general  hospital  there. 
He  was  in  right  good  spirits  when  I  came  to  him, 
though  he  complained  that  the  wound  which  he  re 
ceived  in  the  shoulder  at  the  battle  of  Coon  Creek  last 
August,  caused  him  intense  suffering  at  times.  He 
also  informed  me  that  the  old  wound  which  he  received 
through  the  thigh  a  little  over  a  year  ago,  had  broken 
out  again,  and  gave  him  much  pain  when  he  made  cer 
tain  movements,  and  his  weight  came  on  that  leg.  He 
still  clings  to  the  ball  that  passed  straight  through  his 
thigh,  touching  the  femoral  artery  and  lodging  on  the 
opposite  side  just  under  the  skin.  When  it  was  cut 
from  the  wound  the  conical  end  of  the  elongated  ball 
was  found  to  be  considerably  flattened,  having  struck 
the  femur  or  thigh  bone.  But  he  says  that  he  cannot 
bear  to  have  the  surgeons  probe  any  more  for  the  ball 
which  he  still  carries  in  his  shoulder,  as  it  has  either 
broken  through  the  encysting  and  poisoning  his  blood 
or  touching  some  very  sensitive  part.  He  expressed 
a  strong  desire  tQ  be  at  home,  but  thought  that  he  had 
not  strength  enough  to  be  transported  in  an  ambulance 
so  far,  even  if  he  could  get  permission  to  go.  I  en 
couraged  him  to  be  cheerful,  and  said  that  I  hoped  he 


84r  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

would  come  out  of  this  all  right,  and  be  able  to  report 
to  his  company  for  duty  in  a  few  weeks,  or  in  a  lew 
months  at  the  farthest.  I  then  bid  him  adieu,  but  not 
without  emotion,  for  I  have  serious  doubts  of  his  re 
covery;  the  lines  of  his  expression  were  not  natural, 
and  his  life  is  ebbing  away  through  the  wound  in  his 
shoulder.  But  1  will  not  mourn  my  brother  dead  who 
is  yet  living. 

The  order  for  the  reduction  of  our  transportation 
goes  into  effect  to-day.  Hereafter  each  cavalry  regi 
ment  will  be  entitled  to  only  sixteen  four-mule  wag 
ons,  and  each  infantry  regiment  to  twelve  four-mule 
wagons.  This  seems  a  wise  measure  adopted  by  the 
War  Department,  for  during  an  active  campaign  troops 
should  be  encumbered  as  little  as  possible  with  large 
trains  and  useless  baggage.  Five  hundred  wagons 
and  teams  in  motion,  stretch  over  a  distance  of  sev 
eral  miles,  and  in  an  enemy's  country  always  require 
a  large  force  of  cavalry  to  protect  them.  They  also  of 
fer  inducements  to  .the  enemy  to  fit  out  expeditions 
for  their  capture  or  destruction.  Though  officers  and 
soldiers  will  have  to  dispense  with  certain  conveniences 
which  they  have  heretofore  enjoyed,  yet  I  think  that 
they  will  soon  see  that  by  doing  so,  there  will  be  en 
tailed  upon  them  no  great  hardships.  Our  object  is 
to  beat  the  enemy  at  every  point  with  as  little  sacri 
fice  of  life  and  public  property  as  possible.  If  large 
trains  embarrass  our  movements,  and  if  we  can  get 
along  with  smaller  ones  without  decreasing  our  effec 
tiveness,  we  should  do  it  without  a  murmur. 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  85 

It  was  reported  a  few  days  ago  that  authority  had 
been  obtained  from  the  Secretary  of  War  for  rais 
ing  two  regiments  of  Federal  troops  in  this  State,  one 
cavalry  and  one  infantry.  This  report  I  find  is  true, 
and  -the  recruiting  is  to  commence  at  once,  and  the  reg 
iments  will  probably  be  organized  and  in  the  field  by 
spring.  For  the  present,  Col.  Ferguson  is  to  have 
charge  of  the  matter,  with  headquarters  at  Fayetteville. 
Once  organized  and  equipped,  these  regiments  will  be 
a  valuable  acquistion  to  our  army  in  holding  this  sec 
tion.  Our  troops  have  shown  that  they  have  no  hatred 
or  ill  will  towards  the  peeple  with  whom  we  are  con. 
tending;  that  we  only  want  them  to  lay  down  their 
arms  and  renew  their  allegiance  to  the  Government. 
The  consequence  is,  I  think,  that  we  have  made 
friends  of  many  of  those  who  had  been  misinformed 
and  had  a  rather  bad  opinion  of  us  before  we  came 
into  this  State.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  there 
was  a  strong  Union  sentiment  in  nearly  all  the  counties 
of  northwestern  Arkansas;  and  also  in  other  sections 
of  the  State.  And  now  that  there  is  an  opportunity 
for  those  whose  sympathies  have  all  along  been  with 
the  Government,  to  assist  it  by  organizing  for  the  de 
fense  of  their  lives  and  homes,  we  may  reasonably  ex 
pect  that  these  two  regiments  will  soon  have  their 
maximum  of  men.  If  they  see  that  there  is  a  proba 
bility  of  our  permanently  holding  this  part  of  the 
State,  many  of  those  who  are  refugees  to  Missouri 
arid  Kansas,  will  doubtless  return  and  enter  the  ser 
vice. 


86  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

A  post  has  been  established  at  Neosho,  Missouri. 
Major%John  A.  Foreman  with  a  battalion  of  Indian 
troops,  has  already  been  ordered  there.  A  large  num 
ber  of  refugee  Indian  families  are  in  that  vicinity, 
and  they  are  all  to  be  collected  at  that  point  to  remain 
until  spring.  There  is  an  abundant  supply  of  fine 
spring  water  at  Neosho,  and  as  it  is  in  a  wooded  re 
gion  plenty  of  fuel  can  be  easily  furnished  them  at  a 
small  cost  during  the  winter.  Their  subsistence  sup 
plies  can  also  perhaps  be  mostly  drawn  from  that  sec 
tion. 

Last  night,  the  8th,  the  First  division,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  the  Indian  command,  having  received  or 
ders,  struck  tents  and  moved  out  quite  suddenly. 
Some  of  the  troops  that  left  last  night,  are  ordered  to 
Springfield,  Missouri,  on  a  forced  march,  as  General 
Marmaduke  with  a  division  of  cavalry,  and  several  bat 
teries  of  light  artillery,  is  reported  on  the  way  there, 
having  passed  through  this  State  three  days  ago,  about 
seventy-five  miles  east  of  us.  General  E.B.  Brown,  with 
a  considerable  force  of  Missouri  State  troops  and  some 
artillery,  will  doubtles  give  the  enemy  a  warm  recep 
tion  if  they  attack  him  before  the  reinforcements  get 
there. 

That  one  is  obliged  to  separate  from  those  with 
whom  he  has  shared  the  dangers  and  hardships  of  the 
field  for  more  than  a  year,  is  cause  for  profound  feel 
ings  of  sadness.  Serving  in  a  common  cause,  and 
sharing  alike  dangers  and  hardships,  tends  to  unite 
men  by  the  strongest  ties  of  friendship. 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  87 

Though  many  of  our  troops  have  been  in  the  service 
less  than  sixth  months,  yet  they  have  moved  forward 
with  brave  hearts  and  unfaltering  steps,  never  swerv 
ing  from  the  path  of  duty.  Veterans  could  not  have 
performed  more  effective  service,  and  service  of  which 
the  true  soldier  may  well  feel  proud.  Military  achieve 
ments  of  less  consequence,  as  far  as  bettering  men's 
condition  is  concerned,  than  the  achievements  of  the 
Ar my  of  the  Frontier,  have  been  recorded  and  handed 
down  to  us  through  twenty-five  centuries.  Many  in 
fant  children  now  in  the  arms  of  their  mothers,  when 
grown  to  manhood  or  womanhood,  will  doubtless  re 
fer  with  pride  to  the  services  of  their  fathers  in  this 
campaign. 


CHAPTEK  IT. 

Colonel  W.  A.  Phillips  assumes  command  of  the  Indian  division— 
The  author  to  go  with  it — The  division  marches  to  Maysville 
on  the  western  line  of  Arkansas — A  skirmish  with  guerrillas — 
A  snow  storm  and  difficulty  in  getting  forage— Colonel  Phillips, 
not  only  a  military  commander  but  also  a  governor  of  several 
Indian  tribes— His  position  requires  great  executive  ability 
— Skirmishes  with  guerrillas  becoming  frequent — Bush 
whackers  living  in  a  cave — Remarks  on  how  caves  are  formed 
— How  Stalactites  are  formed — How  stalacmitic  matter  may 
preserve  to  distant  ages  in  the  future  some  account  of  the 
war — In  a  few  years  all  external  evidences  of  the  war  will 
have  disappeared — Description  of  the  country  and  of  its 
resources — Colored  refugees  increasing — Their  destitute  con 
dition—Col.  Phillips'  orders— Repairing  of  the  mills— The 
battle  at  Springfield — Gen.  Marmaduke  defeated. 

In  some  respects  perhaps  it  would  have  been  more 
agreeable  to  me  to  have  remained  with  that  portion  of 
the  Army  of  the  Frontier  from  which  we  have  been 
detached.  But  with  a  soldier,  preferences  should 
count  for  nothing  when  duty  stands  in  the  way.  And 
looking  at  the  matter  in  this  light,  I  of  course  accept 
the  situation  and  enter  upon  the  discharge  of  my  duties 
in  this  new  field  without  the  slightest  dissatisfaction. 
How  he  can  be  of  most  service  to  his  country  is  a 
thought  that  should  animate  the  true  soldier,  and  out- 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  89 

weigh  all  other  thoughts  in  his  mind.  But  it  may 
turn  out  that  our  new  field  of  operations  will  not  be 
destitute  of  interest  or  barren  of  results  worth  setting 
down.  If  it  should  be,  however,  it  will  be  easy  enough 
to  stop  writing,  or  expunge  that  which  is  worthless. 
But  our  new  Commander,  Colonel  "W.  A.  Phillips,  I 
know  is  an  able  and  an  accomplished  officer,  and  it  is  not 
likely  that  he  will  allow  us  to  languish  in  inglorious 
inactivity.  No  officer  of  the  first  division  has  im 
pressed  me  more  favorably.  The  first  time  that  I  ever 
saw  him  was  at  the  battle  of  Locust  Grove,  near  Grand 
Saline,  the  2d  of  last  July,  when  we  captured  Colonel 
Clarkson  and  his  command  of  one  hundred  and  ten 
men .  Even  Colonel  Jewell,  who  was  also  present  on  that 
occasion,  did  not  display  more  conspicuous  bravery  than 
Colonel  Phillips.  The  night's  march,  the  short  and 
decisive  engagement,  just  at  the  dawn  of  that  lovely 
summer's  morning,  will  be  remembered  by  those  who 
participated,  while  they  live.  Colonel  Phillips  received 
much  praise  for  the  ability  with  which  he  handled  his 
brigade  at  Indian  Creek,  Neosho,  and  Newtonia,  last 
September.  On  other  occasions,  too,  he  has  shown 
himself  to  be  a  brave  officer,  and  yet  one  who  never 
loses  his  head.  It  was  mainly  through  his  exertions 
that  authority  was  obtained  from  the  War  Department 
to  organize  and  equip  the  three  Indian  regiments. 
Having  been  a  staff  correspondent  of  the  New  York 
Tribune,  and  a  personal  friend  of  Assistant  Secretary 
of  War,  Dana,  perhaps  no  one  in  Kansas  could  com 
mand  more  respectful  attention  from  the  authorities  at 
Washington,  in  such  a  matter. 


90  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

I  shall  not,  however,  start  out  with  a  panegyric,  or 
endeavor  to  build  up  hopes  of  any  extraordinary 
military  achievement,  for  he  has  taken  a  command 
with  which  I  think  it  will  be  exceedingly  difficult,  if 
not  almost  impossible,  to  accomplish  anything  of  great 
consequence.  We  must  be  patient.  The  future  will 
disclose  to  us  the  wisdom  or  folly  of  his  actions. 

We  left  Elm  Springs  on  the  morning  of  10th,  and 
arrived  at  Camp  Walker,  near  Maysville,  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  llth,  having  marched  a  distance  ol  about 
thirty-five  miles.  The  country  that  we  passed  over 
is1  generally  poor,  but  has  some  fine  forests,  and  is  sup 
plied  with  abundance  of  good  spring  water.  In  some 
of  these  springs  the  water  is  as  clear  as  crystal;  it  rises 
out  of  the  earth  almost  like  a  fountain,  and  runs  away 
in  a  strong  swift  current.  How  delightful  these 
springs  would  be  to  the  thirsty  traveller  in  an  arid 
region.  The  hills  that  we  passed  over  are  covered 
with  fiints  of  every  conceivable  shape  and  size,  except 
that  there  are  few  above  a  hundred  pounds  weight. 
They  do  not,  however,  seem  to  have  ever  been  rolled 
about  and  worn  by  the  action  of  water,  like  peb 
bles  along  the  sea  shore,  constantly  kept  in  motion  by 
the  tides. 

Our  camp  here  is  called  Camp  Curtis,  in  honor  of 
General  Samuel  R.  Curtis  who  commanded  our  forces 
at  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  in  this  county  last  March. 
This  locality  has  been  quite  noted  as  a  camping  ground 
and  rendezvous  of  the  rebel  armies  of  Missouri  and 
Arkansas  since  the  beginning  of  the  war.  It  is  just 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  91 

in  the  edge  of  the  prairie  region,  and  grounds  could 
scarcely  be  laid  out  to  better  advantage  for  drilling 
and  maneuvering  large  bodies  of  troops.  The  enemy, 
however,  are  not  likely  to  have  a  carnp  of  instruction 
here  again.  "We  were  encamped  near  here  upwards  of 
a  week  last  October,  after  the  battle  of  Old  Fort 
Wayne,  in  „ which  we  captured  General  Cooper's  ar 
tillery. 

It  looks  now  as  if  our  chief  occupation,  for  a  while 
at  least,  is  going  to  be  that  of  fighting  and  chasing 
bushwhackers.  Captain  Anderson,  of  the  3rd  Indian 
regiment,  was  sent  out  on  the  12th  with  a  detachment 
of  fifty  men,  and  had  a  skirmish  with  a  party  of  guerril 
las,  in  which  he  lost  one  man  killed  and  had  one  wound 
ed.  He  reports  that  he  killed  two  of  the  enemy,  the 
rest  having  made  their  escape.  The  hilly  condition  of 
the  country  to  the  east  of  us  is  favorable  for  carrying 
on  guerrilla  operations.  But  this  is  a  kind  of  war 
fare  more  suitable  to  the  disposition  of  our  Indian 
than  to  our  white  soldiers.  Guerrillas  in  the  vicinity 
of  this  command  will  therefore  probably  have  all  they 
desire  of  their  own  kind  of  warfare. 

Col.  Phillips  sent  out  on  the  morning  of  the  13th, 
his  first  train  to  Fort  Scott  for  supplies,  guarded  by 
an  escort  of  two  hundred  men.  At  this  season,  escort 
duty  and  teaming  are  not  very  desirable  kinds  of  ser 
vice.  "We  are  just  beginning  to  feel  the  pinch  of  win 
ter,  though  we  had  three  or  four  inches  of,  snow  and 
several  rather  cold  days  about  a  week  before  we  started 
on  the  expedition  to  Yan  Buren.  Men  and  animals 


92  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

now  on  the  road,  especially  if  they  are  facing  the  north 
west  winds  on  those  bleak  prairies  which  extend  for  a 
distance  of  seventy-five  miles  south  of  Fort  Scott,  will 
suffer  much  more  from  cold  than  we  do  in  camp.  It 
takes  from  five  to  seven  days  for  a  train  to  come  down 
from  Fort  Scott,  the  distance  being  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  miles. 

Yesterday  morning  (15th)  a  violent  snow  storm  set 
in  and  continued  all  day.  We  are  therefore  beginning 
to  experience  considerable  difficulty  in  getting  suf 
ficient  forage  for  our  animals,  for  when  the  First  divis 
ion  was  encamped  in  this  vicinity  last  fall,  we  consum 
ed  nearly  all  the  forage  that  could  be  found  for  miles 
around.  A  large  force  of  the  enemy  under  General 
Cooper,  had  also  been  foraging  off  this  section  before 
our  arrival.  And  as  this  is  not  much  of  an  agricul 
tural  region,  it  will  be  seen  that  there  is  just  cause  for 
the  complaint  of  scarcity  of  forage.  But  Colonel 
Phillips  is  watchful  of  the  wants  of  his  troops  and 
public  animals,  and  will  no  doubt  do  all  that  can  be 
done  to  prevent  them  from  suffering  for  want  of  ne 
cessary  supplies.  He  sends  out  daily  foraging  parties 
and  trains,  and  they  generally  go  from  ten  to  fifteen 
miles  from  camp.  This  gives  us  a  circuit  of  about 
thirty  miles,  a  considerable  area  of  country  to  forage 
from.  When  we  shall  have  exhausted  all  the  forage 
within  fifteen  miles  of  our  camp,  we  will  probably  es 
tablish  another  camp  outside  of  this  radius.  If  this 
plan  is  carried  out,  as  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  be,  I 
think  that  we  can  get  our  animals  through  the  winter 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  93 

in  fair  condition.  Although  we  have  been  constantly 
scouting  and  marching  and  skirmishing  since  we  came 
into  this  State  last  fall,  we  have  lost  comparatively  few 
animals  from  having  been  broken  down  in  the  service. 
Our  main  losses  have  of  course  been  cavalry  horses. 
But  the  safety  and  comfort  of  his  command,  while 
conducting  military  operations  in  this  section,  are  not 
the  sole  object  of  solicitude  to  Colonel  Phillips.  Nor 
is  his  function  that  of  a  military  commander  alone. 
He  is  placed  in  a  position  where  he  must  act  as  gov 
ernor  of  several  different  nations,  all  in  a  state  of  chaos. 
Since  the  war  commenced,  the  Indians  of  the  Cherokee, 
Creek,  and  Seminole  nations,  have  been  almost  equally 
divided  on  the  questions  which  have  arrayed  the  two 
sections  of  the  country  against  each  other.  But  as  the 
rebel  authorities  sent  troops  to  occupy  the  country  of 
these  Indians  immediately  after  hostilities  commenced, 
and  held  undisputed  possession  of  it  until  our  expe 
dition  of  last  summer,  the  loyalists  were  obliged  to 
leave  their  homes  or  contend  with  unequal  odds,  with 
the  chances  of  being  continually  beaten  and  finally 
driven  out.  Hence  when  we  withdrew  from  the  Indian 
Territory  last  August,  and  brought  out  the  Chief, 
John  Ross,  and  some  of  the  national  archives  and 
treasury,  thousands  of  loyal  Indian  families,  Cherok- 
ees,  Creeks,  and  Seminoles,  accompanied  us  as  far  as 
Baxter  Springs,  on  the  southern  line  of  Kansas.  While 
at  Baxter  Springs,  and  indeed  since  they  have  been  ex 
iles  from  their  homes,  the  Government  has  issued  them 
rations,  and  looked  after  them  to  mollify  their  hard- 


94  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

ships  as  much  as  possible.  And  though  the  greater 
proportion  of  these  Indian  families  have  remained  in 
Southwest  Missouri,  since  the  opening  of  the  campaign 
last  September  ;  and  though  some  have  returned  to 
their  homes  in  the  nation  since  we  drove  the  enemy 
out ;  yet  there  seems  to  be  a  fair  prospect  that  the 
"  Refugee  Camp  "  will  continue  to  increase  in  size 
during  the  rest  of  the  winter.  The  wants  and  neces 
sities  of  these  people  will  constantly  demand  the  atten 
tion  of  Colonel  Phillips  in  various  ways.  How  ably 
and  satisfactorily  he  shall  conduct  the  affairs  which  de 
volve  upon  him,  remains  to  be  seen.  It  will  thus  also 
be  seen  that  his  position  requires  of  him  to  be,  if  he 
manages  matters  successfully,  not  only  a  judicious 
military  commander,  but  also  to  possess,  in  a  fair  meas 
ure,  the  knowledge  of  civil  aifairs.  A  man  who  pos 
sesses  both  of  these  qualifications  in  a  marked  degree, 
is  rarely  found.  We  have  reason  to  believe  that  we 
have  such  a  man  in  the  person  of  Colonel  Phillips,  for 
every  one  has  some  pride  that  those  with  whom  he  acts 
in  any  given  venture  shall  act  creditably.  That  is,  no 
man  who  possesses  a  sense  of  patriotic  devotion,  likes 
to  have  his  name  associated  with  inglorious  defeat,  or 
any  public  action  upon  which  rests  a  stigma  or  even 
unfavorable  comment. 

The  skirmishes  between  our  scouting  parties  and 
small  detachments  of  guerrillas  which  infest  this  sec 
tion  are  becoming  so  frequent,  that  hereafter  I  shall 
not  attempt  to  give  the  details  and  result  of  each  day 
separate,  but  will  endeavor  to  give  some  account  of  the 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  95 

most  important  contests.  There  would  be  a  good  deal 
of  repetition  should  I  detail  the  movements  and  skir 
mishes  of  every  scouting  or  foraging  party  sent  out. 
When  any  casualties  occur  they  are  noted  on  the  mus 
ter  rolls  of  the  company.  That  is,  if  a  soldier  is  killed, 
wounded,  or  taken  prisoner,  or  has  his  horse  killed  or 
captured,  the  fact  is  duly  noted.  I  may  add  that  since 
we  left  Elm  Springs,  our  troops  have  killed,  according 
to  my  daily  memoranda,  nine  bushwhackers,  and  sus 
tained  a  loss  of  three  men  killed  and  two  wounded. 

A  woman  from  the  country  came  into  camp  yester 
day  evening  (17th)  and  reported  that  she  knew  of 
three  or  four  bushwhackers,  who  were  living  in  a 
cave,  some  eight  miles  distant  from  the  command. 
A  detachment  of  cavalry  was  sent  to  the  locality  of 
the  cave;  but  returned  without  being  able  to  find  the 
enemy  or  any  indications  that  they  had  recently  oc 
cupied  the  cave  as  an  abiding  place.  Our  men,  how 
ever,  did  not  venture  into  the  cave,  as  it  would  have  re 
quired  too  great  a  sacrifice  of  life  to  dislodge  them  from 
such  a  fortress,  if  they  were  really  there  and  well  armed, 
unless  we  should  close  the  mouth  of  the  cave  and 
compel  them  to  feel  the  pinch  of  hunger.  What  a 
novel  place  for  men  to  take  up  their  abode!  But 
when  we  are  enjoying  freedom  and  security,  and  the 
rewards  of  honest  toil,  it  is  perhaps  difficult  for  us  to 
imagine  what  modes  of  life  we  might  be  inclined  to 
adopt  under  the  pressure  of  circumstances.  It  is  well 
known  that  caves  do  not  undergo  very  radical  changes 
of  temperature  during  the  seasons.  I  have  visited  a 


96  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

cave  on  my  father's  estate  a  good  many  times,'and  I  re 
member  that  it  was  always  almost  uncomfortably  cool 
on  a  warm  summer  day,  and  pleasantly  warm  on  a  win 
ter  day.  Considerable  attention  has  recently  been  given 
to  cavern  researches  in  England  and  France.  And  in 
several  instances  the  bones  of  men  and  some  domestic 
implements  and  rudely-made  weapons  have  been 
found,  which  show  beyond  a  reasonable  doubt  that 
the  human  race  has  existed  on  this  earth  for  a  period 
much  longer  than  that  which  we  have  been  taught. 
While  we  were  encamped  at  Camp  Moonlight,  about 
twenty  miles  south  of  here,  the  early  part  of  last  No 
vember,  I  was  permitted  to  accompany  a  party  of 
officers  and  soldiers  on  a  visit  to  a  cave  much  larger 
than  the  one  near  our  present  camp.  We  did  not  go 
very  far  into  it  from  the  entrance,  but  we  went  far 
enough  to  see  some  beautiful  stalactites  hanging  from 
the  roof  like  icicles  which  hang  from  the  eaves  of  a 
house  after  the  snow  has  commenced  to  melt  and  run 
down  its  sloping  roof.  Were  everything  favorable,  I 
should  like  to  visit  the  cave  near  us,  but  of  course  not 
with  the  view  of  making  careful  investigations,  for 
that  would  take  time  and  a  large  expenditure  of 
money.  But  when  peace  shall  bless  our  country 
again,  and  the  spirit  of  inquiry  increases,  perhaps  in 
teresting  researches  will  be  made  into  the  history  of 
these  caves,  which  will  throw  some  light  on  the 
various  forms  of  life  that  once  inhabited  them. 
Curious  thoughts  are  apt  to  come  into  one's  mind 
after  visiting  one  of  these  natural  wonders.  What 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  97 

caused  it?  How  long  since  it  was  formed?  These 
are  exceedingly  interesting  questions  to  those  whose 
minds  seek  a  rational  explanation  of  every  natural 
phenomenon.  But  when  we  come  to  understand 
something  about  how  a  cave  has  been  formed,  we  are 
not  likely  to  press  the  question,  "  How  long  since?" 
It  is  a  notable  fact  that  all  the  caves  in  this  country 
are  in  limestone  formations.  Now  it  is  well  known 
to  every  one  who  has  given  any  attention  to  chem 
istry,  that  a  solution  of  water  and  carbonic  acid  will 
dissolve  pieces  of  limestone,  when  put  into  it.  Rain 
water  is  known  to  contain  carbonic  acid,  the  propor 
tion,  perhaps,  depending  upon  the  season.  It  is  easy 
to  imagine,  then,  that  the  rain  falling  on  these  hills  must 
have  always  run  down  through  the  soil  until  the 
water  came  to  the  limestone;  and  that  when  it  pene 
trated  it,  it  dissolved  a  portion  of  it,  the  ex 
tent  of  dissolution,  however,  depending  upon  the 
amount  of  carbonic  acid  the  rain  water  con 
tained.  Everyone  who  has  been  in  a  cave  can 
probably  call  to  mind  the  sound  of  dropping  water 
from  the  roof  of  the  cave,  which  he  heard  here  and 
there.  Well,  every  drop  of  water  that  falls  from  the 
roof  to  the  floor,  is  supposed  to  hold  in  solution  a  very 
small  quantity  of  the  limestone.  But  when  the  water 
comes  to  separate  from  the  dissolved  limestone  it  leaves 
a  thin  film  of  solid  material,  different  in  character 
from  the  original  limestone.  When  the  water  drops 
from  the  roof  of  the  cave,  it  leaves  a  thin  film  attached 
to  the  roof,  which  gradually  assumes  the  form  and  ap- 
7 


98  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

pearance  of  an  icicle.  This  is  called  a  stalactite.  The 
film  that  forms  on  the  floor  after  the  water  has  left  it, 
is  called  the  stalacmite. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  formation  of  a  cave  is 
a  perfectly  natural,  though  an  extremely  slow  process. 
It  is  like  removing  the  sands  from  the  sea  shore  by 
taking  a  grain  at  a  time.  How  long  it  has  taken  to 
form  a  stalactite  as  long  as  one's  arm,  we  have  no 
means  of  knowing  as  far  as  the  caves  in  this  section 
are  concerned.  Nor  have  I  ever  heard  that  the  thick 
ness  of  the  stalacmite  formations  of  the  caves  of  this 
region  have  ever  been  measured  or  any  eiforts  made 
to  find  out  the  nature  of  the  deposits  under  them,  or 
contemporaneous  with  their  growth. 

Reflecting  on  stalacmitic  formations  and  the  eviden 
ces  of  ancient  life  they  may  contain,  this  thought  has 
come  into  my  mind.  Suppose  that  one  of  our  soldiers 
or  one  of  the  enemies,  on  account  of  the  stress  of 
weather  or  imminent  danger,  should  take  to  a  cave 
and  die  in  it  with  his  arms  and  accoutrements  beside 
him.  After  a  while,  perhaps,  the  drops  of  water  from 
the  roof  of  the  cave  falling  on  his  bones  and  arms, 
would  leave  thereon  a  formation  of  stalacmitic  matter. 
And  should  the  men  of  some  future  age  decide  to  in 
vestigate  the  history  of  these  caves  and  find  the  bones 
and  arms  cemented  together  with  stalacmitic  matter, 
they  might  be  able  to  determine  the  age  to  which  they 
belonged,  and  nearly  the  exact  time  it  had  taken  to 
produce  a  formation  of  stalacmitic  matter  of  a  given 
thickness.  Our  pistols  and  carbines  and  sabers  have 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  99 

the  name  of  the  manufacturer  or  patentee,  and  the 
year  they  were  made,  stamped  upon  them.  Though 
there  are  many  chances  that  in  time  these  would  be 
come  obliterated  by  rust,  yet  under  certain  conditions 
they  might  not.  At  any  rate  the  subject  is  one  upon 
which  the  niind  delights  to  dwell  for  a  moment.  And 

in  this  connection  there  arises    the    further    thought. 

& 

Is  it  possible,  that  in  a  few  years,  not  a  vestige  of  the 
storms  of  war  which  have  recently  swept  back  and 
forth  over  this  section,  will  be  left  to  the  future  in 
habitants  of  these  pleasant  valleys  and  prairies  ?  Is  it 
possible  that  in  a  few  years  and  on  these  grounds  a 
comfortable  mansion  may  arise,  whose  dwellers  will  be 
all  unconscious  that  we  were  ever  here  for  warlike 
purposes,  and  our  arms  stained  with  the  blood  of  men 
who  were  recently  our  friends  and  brothers?  Probably 
in  a  few  years  from  now  there  will  be  many  peaceful 
dwellings  by  the  road-side  in  this  section,  whose  occu 
pants  may  never  dream  that  the  tramping  of  marching 
squadrons,  the  rattling  of  artillery  carriages,  and  the 
clanging  of  sabers,  might  have  recently  been  heard 
upon  the  public  highways.  How  evanescent  are  the 
actions  of  men !  Even  the  pyramids  of  Egypt  must 
in  time  crumble  to  dnst.  We  do  not  know  but  that 
if  the  light  of  the  past  could  be  thrown  upon  these 
grounds  and  over  these  regions,  we  should  see  hostile 
armies  of  even  greater  magnitude  than  ours  or  that 
of  the  enemy,  operating  against  each  other.  It  is  now 
considered  by  those  who  ought  to  be  competent  au 
thority,  that  this  western  country  was  once  occupied  by 


100  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

a  race  of  people  quite  different,  in  some  respects,  to 
our  present  Indians.  At  various  places  in  the  Missis 
sippi  valley  mounds  are  found  which  are  known  to 
have  been  thrown  up  by  human  hands;  and  in  some 
instances  there  have  also  been  found  human  skeletons, 
pieces  of  pottery  and  implements  indicative  of  their 
domestic  life.  These  mounds  are  believed  to  be  of 
high  intiquity  and  not  to  have  been  made  by  any  of 
the  existing  races  of  North  America.  If  a  numerous 
people  inhabited  the  Mississippi  valley  at  some  distant 
age  of  the  past,  they  also  probably  spread  over  this 
region,  for  its  ever-living  streams,  lovely  valleys,  and 
occasional  prairies,  must  always  have  been  very  invit 
ing  to  peoples  following  a  nomadic  or  pastoral  life. 

Though  our  camp  is  on  the  edge  of  a  prairie,  the 
country  a  few  miles  to  the  east  of  us  is  rugged  and 
hilly,  and  less  adapted  to  agricultural  purposes  than 
the  country  to  the  west  of  us,  in  the  Grand  River  val 
ley.  But  as  the  Grand  River  country  belongs  to  the 
Cherokees,  no  one  can  say  when  its  agricultural  re 
sources  will  be  developed,  even  should  the  war  close 
immediately. 

The  number  of  negro  refugees,  who  have  gained 
their  freedom  since  we  came  into  this  State,  are  getting 
to  be  a  good  deal  of  a  burden.  Their  almost  desti 
tute  condition,  causes  many  of  them  to  commit  acts 
that  are  not  sanctioned  by  our  ideas  of  strict  morality. 
"We  find  employment  for  some  of  them  as  teamsters 
and  servants,  but  still  there  are  many  more  who  are 
unemployed.  We  send  a  good  many  to  Kansas  every 
time  that  our  supply  trains  return  to  Fort  Scott. 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  101 


Many  of  them  are  quite  shiftless,  and  Jt  .will  pyp 
be  some  time  before  they  appreciate  to  a  very  great 
extent  the  value  of  their  freedom.  But-.,  .we  should  £e 
charitable  towards  them,  and  not  magnify  their  short 
comings,  nor  oppress  them,  so  that  they  will  feel  ob 
liged  to  commit  unlawful  acts.  I  think  that  there  is 
a  tendency  on  our  part  to  overlook  their  many  disad 
vantages,  when  considering  their  moral  actions.  With 
their  past  life  of  slavery  and  degradation,  and  with 
the  pinch  of  hunger  and  cold  affecting  them  at  pres 
ent,  we  ought  not  to  expect  all  their  actions  to  be  per 
fectly  free  of  censure.  Those  who  have  tasted  of  only 
a  small  proportion  of  the  fruits  of  their  own  toil, 
are  not  likely  to  try  before  their  consciences  with  much 
deliberation,  the  offense  of  chicken  stealing,  when  they 
are  suffering  from  hunger.  As  these  people  have  not 
been  property  owners,  it  will  probably  be  some  time  be 
fore  they  have  very  definite  ideas  of  proprietary  rights. 
We  should  not  therefore  be  surprised  to  hear  of  a 
larger  proportion  of  them  during  the  next  generation, 
guilty  of  unlawfully  appropriating  the  property  of 
others,  than  among  the  white  population. 

It  seems  to  me  that  we  might  be  relieved  of  a  good 
deal  of  our  present  embarrassment  by  organizing  a 
corps  of  colored  troops.  The  amount  of  money  the 
Government  paid  the  men  tor  their  services  would 
be  almost  sufficient  to  take  care  of  their  families. 
There  is,  however,  considerable  prejudice  yet  among 
our  officers  and  soldiers  in  regard  to  organizing  them 
into  regiments,  but  as  their  freedom  throughout  the 


102  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

country  is  -sure  to  come  at  an  early  day,  1  can  see  no 
good  .reason  why  they  should  not  be  taken  into  the 
military  service  at  once,  indeed  j  ust  as  fast  as  they  see 
n't  to  enlist.  Having  always  been  accustomed  to  obey 
orders,  and  being  naturally  of  docile  dispositions,  I 
am  inclined  to  believe  that,  if  properly  organized  and 
officered,  they  will  make  excellent  soldiers.  While  I 
think  that  intelligent  soldiers  may  be  more  effective 
in  the  field  than  those  of  lower  intelligence,  I  do  not 
believe  that  either  are  likely  to  accomplish  great  deeds 
under  incompetent  and  inefficient  officers. 

To  relieve  as  far  as  possible  the  demands  of  hunger 
among  the  refugee  families  on  the  outskirts  of  our 
camp,  Colonel  Phillips  has  ordered  that  all  the  mills 
in  this  vicinity  be  repaired,  so  that  such  grain  as  can 
be  found  may  be  ground  into  meal  and  flour  for 
distribution  among  those  whose  necessities  are  most 
pressing.  He  also  occasionally  makes  a  tour  of 
personal  inspection  among  the  refugees,  that  he  may 
know  from  his  own  observation  something  of  the 
condition  of  those  whom  the  fortunes  of  war  have 
driven  to  seek  our  protection. 

Yesterday  evening  (17th)  a  detachment  of  cavalry 
guarding  a  supply  train  from  Cross  Hollows,  near  Pea 
Kidge,  with  rations  for  this  command,  brought  infor 
mation  that  General  Marrnaduke,  whom  we  fought  at 
Cane  Hill  last  November,  attacked  Springfield, 
Missouri,  on  the  8th  instant,  with  a  force  of  three  or 
four  thousand  rebel  cavalry  and  artillery.  General  E. 
B.  Brown  who  commanded  our  troops,  nearly  all  of 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  103 

whom  were  Missouri  State  Milita,  made  a  gallant 
defense  of  the  place,  and  repulsed  the  enemy  after  a 
day  of  fighting  and  skirmishing.  General  Marma- 
duke  captured  two  unimportant  positions  'in  the 
southern  quarter  of  the  city,  but  after  some  sharp 
fighting  his  men  were  soon  driven  from  them.  Our 
troops  had  constructed  several  temporary  forts,  which 
were  protected  by  stockades  and  trenches,  so  that  a 
small  force  could  hold  the  place  against  a  superior 
force  of  the  enemy.  Though  the  enemy  made  several 
gallant  charges  and  captured  two  positions,  he  could 
not  hope  to  capture  the  stronger  positions  except  by 
storming  them,  and  he  had  not  made  sufficient  prepar 
ations  to  undertake  this  with  a  reasonable  prospect  of 
success.  General  Marmaduke,  finding  that  General 
Brown  was  hourly  expecting  reinforcements  and  would 
soon  be  able  to  take  the  offensive,  withdrew  from  the 
contest  and  marched  in  a  southeast  direction.  Many 
of  the  houses  of  the  citizens  were  badly  damaged  by 
shot  and  shell  from  the  enemy's  artillery,  and  a  few 
were  also  destroyed  by  fire.  General  Brown  congrat 
ulated  his  tro/ops  for  their  gallant  defense  of  the  city, 
and  regretted  that  he  was  unable  to  vigorously  press 
the  enemy  in  his  retreat  for  want  of  cavalry. 

Our  troops  that  left  Elm  Springs  on  the  night  of  the 
8th  were  nearly  two  days  too  late  to  participate  in  the 
engagement  at  Springfield.  There  was  undoubtedly 
a  blunder  somewhere,  or  else  our  commanding  General 
is  not  shrewd  enough  to  match  General  Marmaduke. 
It  was  almost  stupidity  to  allow  the  enemy  to  march 
around  us  without  our  knowledge  of  his  movements. 


104  MEMOIES  OF  THE  REBELLION 

We  hear  now  that  Colonel  Phillips'  new  command 
is  to  be  known  as  the  Eighth  and  Ninth  Districts 
Department  of  the  Missouri.  It  embraces  southwest 
Missouri,  northwestern  Arkansas,  and  the  Cherokee 
Nation.  Considering  the  interests  involved  and  the 
difficulties  of  his  new  position,  he  is  justly  entitled  to 
the  rank  of  Brigadier  General,  particularly  if  his  pres 
ent  assignment  is  not  a  temporary  arrangement. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  21st,  Captain  Hopkin's  bat 
tery  was  taken  out  on  the  prairies  near  camp,for  the  pur 
pose  of  spending  a  few  hours  in  artillery  practice. 
This  is  the  battery  that  I  have  already  referred  to  as 
the  one  we  captured  from  General  Cooper's  command 
at  Old  Fort  Wayne,  three  miles  west  of  our  present 
camp,  the  21st  of  last  October.  The  guns  are  in  ex 
cellent  condition,  and  though  most  of  the  artillery 
men  have  had  only  a  few  months'  drill,  yet  from  the 
target  practice  this  afternoon,  they  show  that  they 
would  do  effective  work  should  the  occasion  shortly 
arise. 

While  on  this  ground  I  may  mention  that  my 
father  was  held  as  a  citizen  prisoner  near  here  last 
April  by  the  rebel  Colonel  Coifey  ;  and  was  condem 
ned  to  be  shot,  but  was  exchanged  the  day  before  exe 
cution  was  to  take  place.  He  was  captured  by  the 
enemy  while  guiding  Colonel  Doubleday's  Second 
Ohio  cavalry  from  Kansas  into  South-west  Missouri, 
and  brought  to  Camp  Walker  and  held  several  weeks. 
The  rebel  authorities  had  ordered  shot  quite  a  num 
ber  of  Union  citizen  prisoners,  because  they  charged 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  105 

that  our  troops  had  shot  a  number  of  disloyal  citizens. 
I  doubt  whether  our  troops  ever  shot  any  disloyal 
citizens  after  they  were  regularly  captured,  unless 
they  were  among  those  classed  as  bushwhackers,  and 
who  had  committed  some  outrageous  acts. 

At  eight  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  22d,  with  a 
detail  of  fourteen  men,  I  was  directed  to  proceed  to 
Neosho  with  dispatches  for  the  commanding  officer  at 
that  post,  and  for  the  commanding  general  at  Spring 
field.  As  it  is  the  intention  of  our  division  to  spend 
the  winter  in  this  section  ;  and  as  we  are  not  likely 
to  commence  any  offensive  operation  until  towards 
spring,  I  have  permission  to  remain  at  Neosho  two 
weeks,  to  see  some  of  my  relatives  and  friends  whom 
I  have  not  seen  since  the  war  commenced.  I  look 
back  upon  the  past  year  with  a  good  deal  of  pride,  for 
I  have  not  been  absent  from  my  post  of  duty  a  single 
day.  And  in  the  discharge  of  my  duties,  1  believe 
that  I  have  given  satisfaction  to  those  with  whom  I 
have  had  to  deal.  Though  we  have  had  a  Lieutenant 
and  Commissary  with  us  a  part  of  the  time,  being  a 
subordinate,  I  have  generally  had  all  the  work  to  do, 
and  it  is  no  small  task  to  issue  rations  to  a  full  regi 
ment  of  cavalry,  as  I  have  had  to  do  when  the  regi 
ment  was  all  together.  If  I  could  issue  unbroken 
packages,  of  course  there  would  be  but  little  labor. 
As  it  is,  I  am  obliged  to  weigh  and  measure  in  all  con 
ceivable  quantities,  sugar,  salt,  coifee,  tea,  beans,  etc., 
besides  I  must  cut  up  the  fresh  beef  and  bacon  into 
pieces  of  just  so  many  pounds  weight,  and  if  a  scout- 


106  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

ing  party  is  going  out  during  the  night,  as  generally 
happens,  it  may  become  necessary  to  issue  to  it  extra 
rations,  and  to  stay  up  half  the  night  to  do  it.  I  must 
be  extremely  careful  in  all  my  calculations,  seeing  to 
it  that  no  company,  detachment  or  the  hospital,  gets 
any  more  or  less  than  its  exact  regulation  allow 
ance.  This  little  retrospect  of  my  own  duties  I  hope 
is  permissible,  as  I  am  going  to  have  a  respite  of  a 
few  days.  The  sky  was  heavily  overcast,  and  there 
was  no  moon,  and  the  night  was  intensely  dark.  But 
on  this  account  we  thought  that  we  would  be  less 
likely  to  come  in  contact  with  the  enemy's  guerillas, 
and  the  necessity  of  being  constantly  on  our  guard 
would  chase  sweet  sleep  from  our  eyes. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

The  author  at  Neosho,  Missouri,  for  a  lew  days — Ante-bellum  times 

and  reminiscensces — Description  of  the  town The  Grand 

Falls  and  water-power  mills  in  the  country — Fertility  of  the 
soil  on  the  river  bottoms — Fencing  which  enclosed  most  of 
the  farms  destroyed — About  half  the  people  loyal — Indiscrimi 
nate  destruction  of  property  condemned — A  double  sacrifice 
put  upon  Missouri  loyalists — A  picture  of  desolated  homes — 
Guerrilla  warfare  and  Federal  losses  in  the  State — The  Militia 
occupying  Newtonia  and  fortifying  it — Their  efficiency — 
Mostly  State  troops  that  opposed  General  Marmaduke  at  the 
battle  of  Springfield  on  the  9th — Flag  raising  at  Neosho— 
The  National  Flag  scornfully  regarded  by  rebels— Geurrillas 
at  Granby — The  rich  lead  mines  there,  but  no  longer  worked 
— Author  informed  of  the  death  of  his  brother  at  Fayetteville 
— A  mother's  picture  of  a  united  family. 

We  arrived  at  Neosho  on  the  morning  of  the  23d, 
having  inarched  forty-five  miles  in  twelve  hours.  Our 
route  was  through  a  thickly  wooded  region  all  the 
way.  It  continued  cloudy  and  was  intensely  dark,  and 
there  was  a  drizzling  rain  nearly  all  night.  We  had  to 
trust  to  our  horses  keeping  on  the  path,  as  they  see 
better  in  the  darkness  than  men.  It  frequently  occur 
red  that  we  could  not  tell  whether  we  were  on  the 
road  or  not,  for  we  could  not  distinguish  a  white  hand 
kerchief  an  arms  length  in  front  of  us.  Immediately 


108         ^  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

on  our  arrival  at  Neosho  I  delivered  the  dispatches 
and  mail  to  Major  John  A  Foreman,  commanding 
officer  of  the  post,  who  at  once  sent  them  by  another 
detachment  on  to  Springfield. 

I  breakfasted  at  home  with  father  and  mother  and 
the  family,  the  first  time  for  nearly  two  years.  Mother 
was  nearly  wild  with  delight  to  see  me,  so  many 
exciting  events  have  taken  place  in  this  section  since 
the  last  time  she  saw  me.  Though  we  were  within 
twelve  miles  of  here  last  September  at  the  battle  of 
Newtonia,  I  did  not  have  an  opportunity  of  coming 
home.  She  heard  the  booming  of  artillery  all  that 
day,  and  knowing  that  my  brother  and  I  were  with 
our  troops,  felt  great  anxiety  until  she  heard  that  we 
were  all  right. 

"When  we  came  in  sight  of  the  place,  I  could  hardly 
bring  my  mind,  I  regret  to  say,  into  a  condition  to 
greet  it  with  much  warmth  of  feeling.  It  is  easy  to 
imagine  an  instance  in  which,  when  one  person  pur 
posely  or  carelessly  oifends  another,  and  afterwards 
without  having  made  any  apology  or  explanation,  of 
fers  his  hand,  and  of  the  offended  party  hesitating 
whether  to  take  it  or  not.  Such  were  my  feelings. 
I  could  hardly  make  up  my  mind  to  give  the  place 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  even  if  the  place  had 
welcomed  my  return.  Since  the  Kansas  troubles  a 
large  majority  of  the  people  of  this  place  have  display 
ed  such  a  spirit  of  intolerance  and  want  of  respect 
towards  those  who  differed  with  them  in  regard  to  pol 
itical  issues,  that  the  sight  of  the  town  fails  to  arouse 


ON   THE    BORDEK— 1863.  109' 

the  slightest  thrill  of  affection  and  reverence.  There 
were  a  few  abolitionists  who  resided  here  before  the  war, 
and  they  were  frequently  engaged  in  warm  discussions 
in  regard  to  the  slavery  question.  They  could  talk  with 
some  pro- slavery  men  with  moderation,  but  others  to- 
whom  they  talked,  became  passionate  and  even  violent, 
declaring  that  no  abolitionist  should  be  permitted  to> 
live  in  this  section  and  inculcate  his  pernicious  doc 
trine.  I  have  always  noticed  that  those  who  cling  ten 
aciously  to  principles  which  they  cannot  defend,  get 
out  of  patience  if  you  press  them  too  hard  with  their 
illogicalities  or  inconsistencies.  But  though  the  ab 
olitionists  were  frequently  insulted  and  threatened, 
they  persisted  in  expressing  their  convictions  to  those 
who  desired  to  know  them.  Though  less  than  a  dozen 
in  the  county,  they  did  not  deny  or  make  any  efforts 
to  .conceal  the  fact  that  they  were  abolitionists.  There 
were  quite  a  number  of  men  who  were  about  half  in 
sympathy  with  them,  that  is,  whose  political  convict 
ions  were  gradually  undergoing  a  change,  and  they 
were  not  very  decided  in  their  expressions  either  way. 
Some  people  had  such  peculiar  notions  about  abolition 
ists  that  the  word  was  used  in  a  good  many  families 
to  frighten  children.  And  there  were  also  people  quite 
grown  up  who  regarded  an  abolitionist  as  a  kind  of 
monster  in  human  form,  so  one-sided  had  their  edu 
cation  been  respecting  the  views  of  abolitionists. 

I  saw  to-day  several  of  the  men  who,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  war,  had  so  little  patience  with  Union  men 
that  they  wanted  them  all  killed  and  their  property 


110  MEMOIRS    OF  THE    REBELLION 

confiscated  for  the  benefit  of  the  Confederate  Govern 
ment.  They  were  in  favor  of  hanging  those  who  went 
to  Kansas  and  joined  the  Kansas  Jayhawkers,  as  the 
Kansas  soldiers  were  called.  The  name  Jayhawker 
was  first  given  to  an  organization  of  Free  State  men  in 
Southern  Kansas  who,  under  the  Territorial  regime 
made  retaliatory  incursions  into  Missouri.  The  name 
is  growing  into  a  nickname  for  all  Kansas  people  in 
the  same  sense  as  "  Hoosier  "  is  applied  to  Indianians. 
But  several  of  the  men  I  saw,  who  were  recently 
thirsting  for  the  blood  of  the  Kansas  Jayhawkers, 
when  they  looked  and  knew  me,  cast  their  eyes  towards 
the  ground,  and  their  countenances  changed.  They 
were  captured  a  few  weeks  ago,  having  been  connected 
with  a  band  of  guerrillas  whose  operations  extended 
over  this  county.  But  they  have  taken  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  United  States,  and  given  bonds  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  their  promises.  Now  that 
they  have  escaped  the  edges  of  our  swords  and  seem 
to  show  a  disposition  to  submit  to  the  authority  of  the 
Government,  I  presume  no  one  feels  inclined  to  dis 
turb  them,  or  to  cast  them  into  any  deeper  humiliation. 
When  the  rebel  army  under  General  McCulloch  first 
came  into  this  section,  these  men  were  painstaking  in 
pointing  out  loyal  families  that  they  might  be  plun 
dered  of  their  property.  The  war  is  teaching  the  in 
tolerant  some  grand  lessons  in  toleration,  and  those  of 
one-sided  views  to  study  the  nature  of  their  opponents' 
arguments.  Men  who  recently  could  scarcely  tolerate 
the  existence  of  a  neighbor  who  held  opinions  on  cer- 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  Ill 

tain  subjects  different  from  their  own,  are  now  at  the 
mercy  of  this  neighbor.  And  it  is  certainly  commend 
able  of  those  who  were  recently  in  the  minority  here, 
that  they  do  not  display  a  spirit  of  revenge. 

It  was  at  this  place  in  November,  1861,  while  Gen 
eral  Price's  army  were  encamped  in  the  vicinity,  that 
Governor  Jackson  convened  the  Kump  Legislature, 
which  went  through  the  farce  of  ratifying  the  ordin 
ance  of  Secession.  The  event  was  celebrated  by  the 
booming  of  artillery;  and  great  speeches  were  made 
to  the  enthusiastic  multitude  by  the  principal  leaders. 

Their  prospects  were  brighter  then  than  now,  and 
they  doubtless  thought  that  Missouri  would  form  one 
of  the  stars  in  the  Constellation  of  the  Confederate 
States. 

The  town  contained  about  one  thousand  inhabitants 
before  the  war;  but  the  population  now  is  much  less, 
probably  not  more  than  half  that  number  independent 
of  the  Indian  refugees  temporarily  stopping  here. 
When  this  section  was  occupied  by  the  rebel  troops, 
nearly  all  the  loyal  families  removed  to  Springfield  and 
Kansas,  or  to  some  point  within  our  lines;  and  since 
we  drove  the  enemy  out,  and  established  posts  at 
nearly  all  the  towns,  many  of  the  rebel  families  have 
moved  south. 

A  small  garrison  here  could  make  no  sort  of  defense 
against  an  enemy  playing  upon  it  with  artillery,  for 
there  are  heights  all  around,  the  town,  except  narrow 
openings  to  the  southeast  and  north.  The  brick  Court 
House,  however,  which  stands  isolated  on  the  Court 


112  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

House  Square,  will  hold  between  two  and  three 
hundred  men,  who  might  for  several  days,  hold  out 
against  a  superior  force  not  arrned  with  artillery.  Our 
troops  have  had  several  sharp  contests  with  the  enemy 
here.  About  the  2d  of  July,  1861,  some  eighty  men 
of  General  Sigel's  Command,  under  Captain  Conrad 
of  the  Third  Missouri  infantry,  were  surrounded  in 
the  Court  House  and  captured  by  the  rebel  army 
under  Generals  Price  and  McCulloch,  then  marching 
up  from  Camp  Walker  to  join  Generals  Eains  and 
Parsons.  And  early  last  spring  several  companies 
of  the  Seventh  Missouri  cavalry  were  surprised  by 
the  enemy  and  defeated  with  some  loss  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners.  But  since  the  Kansas  Divi 
sion  came  into  this  section,  we  have  chased  the 
enemy  through  the  town  several  times,  making  the 
dust  fly.  We  also  killed  two  or  three  leaders  of  local 
rebel  organizations,  who  were  much  feared  by  the 
loyal  people. 

The  Indian  soldiers  now  stationed  here,  are  quar 
tered  in  the  Court  House,  and  have  made  a  number 
of  port  holes  for  their  rifles,  to  be  used  in  the  event 
of  an  attack.  Throughout  the  State  the  Militia  are 
using  the  Court  Houses  for  quarters  and  for  means 
of  defense. 

One  of  the  desirable  features  of  this  place  is  the  Big 
Spring  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  It  is  one  ot  the 
finest  springs  in  this  section,  and  would  afford  a  suffi 
cient  quantity  of  the  purest  water  for  a  city  of  consid 
erable  size.  It  has  a  fall  of  about  ten  feet  in  less  than 


ON  THE   BORDER-1868. 


half  a  dozen  yards,  and  of  course  runs  out  of  the 
bluff  like  a  mill  tail.  When  peace  shall  spread  her 
beneficent  influences  over  our  entire  country  again, 
northern  enterprise  and  capital  will  probably  utilize 
this  valuable  water-power  for  manufacturing  purposes, 
and  perhaps  also  contrive  some  means  of  conveying  a 
portion  of  the  water  to  the  houses  of  those  who  shall 
make  this  place  their  home.  With  a  system  of  pipes 
it  could  easily  be  done  without  very  heavy  expense. 
Shoal  Creek,  nearly  two  miles  north  of  here,  is  a  large 
stream,  and  discharges  a  large  volume  of  water  the 
year  round,  and  in  regard  to  water-power  facilities, 
probably  has  few  equals  in  the  country.  At  the  Grand 
Falls,  sixteen  miles  northwest  of  Neosho,  it  pours  over 
a  perpendicular  precipice  about  eighteen  feet  high, 
Fine  carding  and  flouring  mills  at  that  and  a  number 
of  other  points  on  this  stream,  have  been  in  operation 
for  many  years.  Fortunately,  up  to  the  present,  nearly 
all  the  mills  in  this  section  have  escaped  destruction 
by  the  contending  armies.  It  is  hoped  that  no  neces 
sity  will  arise  justifying  their  destruction  in  any 
locality. 

The  country  is  somewhat  broken  in  this  vicinity,  and 
the  hillsides  are  covered  with  a  variety  of  kinds  of 
what  we  call  "  flints."  The  prairies  are  quite  fertile, 
but  not  equal  to  the  creek  bottoms,  which  are  scarcely 
equalled  in  fertility  in  any  country.  My  father  thinks 
that  his  farm  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which 
lies  four  miles  north  of  this  place  on  Shoal  Creek,  has 
not  its  equal  in  the  alluvial  plain  of  the  Mississippi 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE    REBELLION 


valley  in  point  of  productiveness.  But  since  the  war 
commenced,  the  fences  have  nearly  all  been  destroyed 
bv  the  rebel  armies  camping  upon  it,  and  only  a  small 
portion  of  it  was  cultivated  last  year  by  a  tenant. 
The  first  year  of  the  war  the  Kebels  drove  away  all 
our  live  stock,  and  some  of  our  neighbors  who  sided 
with  the  enemy,  even  had  a  discussion  among  them 
selves  as  to  what  our  farm  and  timbered  lands  would 
bring  when  sold  as  confiscated  property  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Confederate  treasury,  as  they  were  determined 
to  have  them. 

In  regard  to  the  destruction  of  fences,  I  may  say 
that  as  far  as  my  own  observation  goes,  few  of  those 
enclosing  farms  on  the  public  highways  have  escaped. 
When  we  encamped  fifteen  miles  north-east  of  here 
last  autumn,  just  before  the  battle  of  Newtonia  in  this 
county,  we  burned  thousands  of  rails  for  fuel,  and  if 
we  bivouacked  on  the  field  at  night,  we  made  numerous 
fires  along  the  roadside.  It  is  almost  impossible  for 
a  large  army  to  pass  through  the  country  in  which  it 
is  operating  without  causing  more  or  less  injury  to 
the  property  of  friend  as  well  as  foe.  I  have  noted, 
with  feelings  of  deep  regret,  that  the  loyal  people  of 
this  State  frequently  sustain  losses  at  the  hands  of 
our  troopsbecause  they  happen  to  be  in  bad  company; 
that  is,  because  they  live  in  communities  where  the 
rebel  sentiment  predominates.  Though  there  were 
few  men  in  this  section  at  the  beginning  of  the  war 
who  were  willing  to  acknowledge  that  they  were  aboli 
tionists,  yet  when  it  came  to  choosing  between  the 


ON  THE  BOEDER— 1863.  115 

Union  and  rebellion,  nearly  half  of  the  people  chose 
the  Union,  and  elected  to  cast  their  fortunes  with  it. 
A  good  many  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  prominent 
men  in  south-west  Missouri  were  strong  and  pro 
nounced  Unionists  from  the  very  beginning,  and 
worked  tooth  and  nail  for  our  success,  though  they 
knew  that  they  took  their  lives  in  their  hands  to  do  it. 
Colonel  Harvey  Ritchie,  of  Newtonia,  who  was  State 
senator  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  issued  a  pub 
lic  address  to  the  people  of  south-west  Missouri,  urg 
ing  them,  in  the  most  eloquent  language,  to  stand  firm 
by  the  Union  and  not  be  led  into  any  secession  move 
ment.  This  address  went  into  the  hands  of  thousands 
of  citizens,  and  no  doubt  had  great  influence  in  keep 
ing  many  steadfast  for  the  Union,  and  in  opening  the 
eyes  of  others  to  the  follies  and  rashness  of  secession. 
It  is  therefore  painful  to  hear  officers  and  soldiers 
who  know  very  little  about  the  politics  of  this  State, 
characterizing  all  the  people  alike  as  rebels,  and  as 
entitled  to  the  same  sympathy.  These  thoughtless 
officers  and  men  sometimes  ask,  if  anyone  ventures 
to  speak  a  word  on  behalf  of  the  loyal  men  of  this 
section,  where  are  the  men  ?  But  if  they  would 
look  around  intelligently,  they  would  easily  see  that 
of  all  the  deserted  homes,  and  homes  in  which  there 
is  no  one  left  but  women  and  children,  that  the  men 
are  not  in  every  case  in  the  rebel  army.  Those  who 
were  with  us  last  fall  when  we  were  encamped  on  Pea 
Ridge  battle  field,  must  have  seen  from  the  head 
boards  placed  over  the  graves  of  the  Federal  soldiers 


116  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

that  fell  on  that  field,  that  Missouri  troops  suffered 
as  severe  losses  as  the  troops  from  Iowa,  Illinois  and 
Indiana.  The  principal  body  of  our  troops  that  were 
engaged  at  the  battle  of  Wilson  Creek  under  Generals 
Lyon  and  Sigel  were  also  Missouri  troops.  The  First 
regiment  of  Missouri  artillery  alone,  lost  in  that  bat 
tle  killed,  officers  1  ;  enlisted  men  66  ;  wounded 
officers  2  ;  enlisted  men  210  ;  missing  officers  2  ; 
enlisted  men  6,  or  a  total  of  casualties  of  292  men. 
Let  those  who  are  blind  to  these  facts,  read  of  the 
great  battles  of  Fort  Donelson  and  Pittsburg  Landing, 
and  see  if  Missouri  did  not  sustain  her  pro  rata  of 
losses  in  killed  and  wounded  for  the  Union  cause. 
Probably  some  of  those  who  are  so  careless  in  their 
remarks  in  regard  to  all  the  people  of  this  State  being 
rebels,  would  not  like  to  acknowledge  that  Missouri, 
after  furnishing  all  the  men  she  has  for  the  rebel 
army,  has  also  furnished  more  men  for  the  Union 
army  than  either  of  the  great  States,  Iowa  or  Massa 
chusetts.  If  this  is  not  the  exact  truth,  it  is  very  near 
it.  If  we  include  the  troops  called  out  for  active  ser 
vice  in  this  State,  there  is  not  a  reasonable  doubt  of 
it.  This  State  has  sins  enough  to  answer  for  without 
having  to  answer  for  any  for  which  she  is  not  justly 
chargeable.  And  I  deeply  sympathize  with  those 
families  whose  desolated  homes  lie  before  them,  and 
whose  male  members  lie  on  some  distant  field,  or  are 
even  now,  this  very  moment,  at  the  front,  nobly 
performing  their  duties  in  defense  of  the  old  flag  and 
the  Union.  I  have  a  right  to  feel  touched  in  this 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  117 

matter,  for  all  the  male  members  of  our  family,  except 
the  two  little  boys,  have  been  away  from  home  nearly 
a  year  and  a  half.  And  until  our  troops  came  into 
this  section,  mother  had  to  endure  many  hardships  in 
providing  food  and  clothing  for  the  children,  for  rebel 
marauders  repeatedly  robbed  us  of  the  best  articles 
of  clothing,  bed-clothing,  etc.  I  have  seen  men 
from  the  loyal  States,  whose  families  were  doubtless 
resting  in  perfect  security,  and  enjoying  the  prop 
erty  and  good  things  with  which  honest  labor  has 
rewarded  them,  who  yet  appeared  blind  to  the  fact 
that  a  double  sacrifice  is  put  upon  the  Union  soldiers 
of  this  State. 

The  soldier  in  the  field  from  this  State  is  constantly 
tortured  with  the  thought  that  his  wife,  mother, 
daughter  or  sister,  is  being  robbed,  insulted  or  burned 
out  of  her  home,  with  no  one  to  look  to  for  protection, 
and  assistance  and  advice.  No  doubt,  on  the  tented 
field,  or  wherever  sweet  sleep  sits  upon  his  eyelids,  he 
is  often  awakened  by  horrible  dreams  of  seeing  his 
house  in  flames  climbing  to  the  sky,  and  his  wife  and 
little  children  gathered  around  her  near  it,  with  sad 
expressions,  wondering  what  they  shall  do  for  food  and 
shelter  and  clothing.  The  picture  is  not  overdrawn 
and  wholly  imaginary,  as  some  may  suppose  who  are 
not  familiar  with  what  they  would  perhaps  call  unim 
portant  incidents  of  the  war  in  Missouri;  but  is  an 
actuality  of  no  unusual  occurrence,  whether  many  of 
the  soldiers  from  this  State  have  such  dreams  or  not. 
In  fact  it  would  be  difficult  to  overdraw  a  picture 


318  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

representing  the  hardships  and  privation  that  many  of 
the  loyal  families  of  this  State  have  had  to  endure  since 
the  war  commenced.  But  under  all  these  extraordin 
ary  trials  and  difficulties,  of  desolation  and  ruin,  they 
have  remained  firm  in  their  devotion  and  loyalty  to  the 
Government.  Their  ears,  therefore,  should  never  hear 
unpleasant  and  reproachful  words  in  wholly  unjustifi 
able  connections  from  those  who  should  be  their 
friends.  As  far  as  I  ain  personally  concerned,  I  do  not 
wish  to  make  even  rebel  families  feel  uncomfortable  on 
account  of  the  position  they  have  taken  in  regard  to 
the  war.  But  when  they  become,  as  we  sometimes 
hear,  unnecessarily  insolent  and  troublesome,  I  think 
it  might  be  well  to  send  them  south  of  our  lines. 
They  should  always,  however,  have  fair  warning  before 
we  resort  to  such  severe  measures.  The  greatest 
trouble  we  have  with  rebel  families  is  in  the  country, 
where  they  harbor  bushwhackers.  This  guerrilla  war 
fare  is  so  detestable  to  all  honorable  minded  men,  that 
those  engaged  in  it  cannot  justly  complain  if  we  adopt 
extreme  measures  to  suppress  it.  Our  losses  in  this 
State  by  this  mode  of  warfare,  during  the  past  year, 
would  probably  foot  up,  if  we  could  get  correct  figures^ 
several  hundred  soldiers  killed,  besides  perhaps  nearly 
as  many  Union  citizens. 

Since  we  drove  the  enemy  out  of  Newtonia  last 
October,  the  place  has  been  occupied  by  the  State 
Militia.  They  are  throwing  up  fortifications  and  pre 
paring  to  build  a  block  house  there,  which  when  com 
pleted,  ought  to  enable  them  to  hold  the  place  against 


ON  THE   BOEDER.— 1863.  U9 

a  large  force  of  the  enemy-  A  number  of  rebel 
citizens  who  have  recently  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
have  been  compelled  to  furnish  teams  and  labor 
towards  constructing  these  fortifications,  of  which  they 
bitterly  complain.  But  if  they  desire  the  protection 
of  the  Government,  they  should  do  something  in  a 
generous  spirit  to  assist  it. 

As  the  Militia  are  well  mounted  and  furnished  with 
arms  and  equipments  by  the  general  Government, 
they  should  be  able  to  keep  this  section  free  of 
guerrillas.  Though  the  Militia  force,  which  now 
numbers  ten  or  twelve  thousand  men,  are  not  obliged 
to  go  out  of  the  State,  yet  they  are  kept  in  active  ser 
vice,  and  their  service  is  scarcely  less  arduous  than 
that  of  the  Volunteer  Cavalry  in  the  field.  The  force 
under  General  Brown  that  fought  General  Marmaduke 
at  the  battle  of  Springfield,  on  the  8th  instant,  as 
already  stated,  consisted  chiefly  of  State  Militia.  And 
in  the  engagement,  they  stood  as  firm  as  veterans 
until  the  enemy  were  driven  from  the  field. 

To-day,  February  2d,  Major  Foreman  had  erected  on 
the  Court  House  Square,  Neosho,  a  high  flagstaff,  and 
run  up  our  National  Flag,  and  its  folds  floated  to  the 
breeze  for  the  first  time  since  a  detachment  of  General 
Sigel's  men  were  captured  in  the  Court  House  here  on 
the  3d  July,  1861.  Expressions  from  some  of  the  rebel 
families  in  town  show  that  they  regard  it  scornfully, 
and  would,  if  they  dared,  trail  it  in  the  dust.  But  as 
we  are  just  beginning  to  develop  our  strength,  while 
the  enemy  is  unquestionably  beginning  to  show  signs 


120  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

of  weakness,  we  will  hardly  withdraw  our  troops  from 
this  section  again.  Those  who  do  not  like  the  sight 
of  our  National  Flag,  should  therefore  move  south, 
and  join  their  friends  who  carry  the  Confederate  Flag. 
As  we  have  occupied  all  the  towns  of  any  consequence 
in  Southwest  Missouri,  and  as  we  have  about  ten 
thousand  men  in  the  field  along  the  southern  border 
of  the  State,  I  think  that  nothing  short  of  annihila 
tion  of  this  army,  or  withdrawal  of  it  to  co-operate 
with  some  other  army  in  another  section,  can  endan 
ger-  our  position  here,  nor  indeed  any  of  our  posts 
west  of  Springfield. 

Yesterday  (2d)  a  party  of  guerrillas  were  seen  near 
Granby,  eight  miles  northeast  of  this  place.  It  is  sup 
posed  that  they  were  after  a  quantity  of  concealed 
lead  to  make  into  balls  to  replenish  their  cartridge 
boxes.  Whether  there  is  any  hidden  lead  there,  we 
have  no  means  of  knowing  at  this  moment.  Granby, 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  contained  a  population 
of  six  or  seven  thousand  people,  nearly  all  of  whom 
were  connected  with  the  mining  business,  and  many 
large  smelting  furnaces  were  in  operation.  It  was 
probably  one  of  the  richest  lead  mines  in  this  country. 
The  mining  operations  continued  there  until  about  a 
year  ago,  and  of  course  were  of  immense  importance 
to  the  enemy  in  the  way  of  furnishing  balls  for  their 
small  arms.  But  the  eyes  of  the  furnaces  have  been 
blown  out,  and  some  of  the  buildings  destroyed,  so  that 
no  one  has  ventured  to  invest  money  in  the  business 
again.  It  is  thought  by  experienced  miners  that  most 


ON  THE    BORDER-1863.  121 

of  this  country  is  rich  in  galena  ore.  Wlien,  there 
fore,  peace  shall  have  come  to  the  country,  mining 
operations  will  no  doubt  be  resumed  in  this  section, 
and  whatever  mineral  resources  it  possesses  developed. 

Last  night  (3d)  a  detachment  of  ten  men,  with  the 
mail  and  despatches,  arrived  here  from  the  first 
Division,  Army  of  the  Frontier,  now  encamped  in  the 
vicinity  of  Springfield.  Several  of  the  men  belonged 
to  that  part  of  my  regiment  which  left  us  at  Elm 
Springs,  and  they  informed  me  that  they  had  just 
heard  from  Fayetteville,  Arkansas,  before  leaving 
camp,  that  my  brother  James  died  in  hospital  there 
on  the  26th  or  27th  of  January.  As  the  information 
came  through  reliable  parties,  men  whom  I  have  known 
since  the  regiment  was  organized,  I  at  once  conveyed 
the  sad  intelligence  to  his  wife  and  to  father  and 
mother.  We  were  all  greatly  distressed,  and  that 
which  increased  the  burden  of  our  grief  was  the 
thought  that  he  should  have  died  from  home  in  hos 
pital,  with  none  of  us  near  him;  nor  perhaps  even  of 
any  of  the  comrades  of  his  own  regiment.  Father 
and  mother,  just  before  I  came  here  on  this  few  days' 
leave,  had  it  under  consideration  to  go  after  him  to 
bring  him  home,  but  were  told  that  it  would  be  dim- 
cult,  if  not  impossible,  to  get  permission  to  remove 
him.  Such  a  task,  anyway,  in  midwinter,  would  have 
been  attended  with  much  suffering  and  danger  to  the 
patient. 

He  has  breathed  out  his  noble  life,  very  dear  to  us 
all,  that  coming  generations  may  enjoy  the  blessings 


122  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

which  we  hope  his  sufferings  and  death  will  help  to 
secure.  Just  one  year  and  six  months  before  he  died, 
I  came  from  Kansas,  traveling  at  night  and  on  by-roads, 
and  passing  hard  by  the  enemy's  guards,  and  guided 
him  and  father  back  there.  I  little  thought  then  that 
I  should  be  called  upon  so  soon  to  mourn  his  death. 
Yet  when  we  enlisted  into  the  army  I  knew  that  we 
should  have  to  take  the  risk  of  being  stricken  down 
by  the  enemy's  bullets  the  same  as  other  soldiers  in 
time  of  war.  Enlisting  into  the  volunteer  force  of  a 
State  whose  people  have  just  cause  for  not  feeling  very 
friendly  towards  the  people  of  this  State  in  general,  we 
had  no  influential  friends  to  look  to  for  any  favors,  even 
if  we  had  desired  them.  Ottering  our  services  to  the 
Government  in  a  land  of  strangers,  easy,  honorable  and 
lucrative  positions,  or  positions  comparatively  free  from 
dangers  and  hardships  of  the  war,  did  not  seek  us.  We 
were  in  earnest  for  the  Government,  and  waited  for  no 
special  inducements  to  enlist.  Had  he  been  of  a  dis 
position  to  want  to  shirk  the  duties  of  a  true  soldier, 
he  could  easily  enough  have  gone  to  the  hospital 
immediately  after  having  received  the  fatal  wound  in 
the  shoulder  at  the  battle  of  Coon  Creek,  on  the  22d 
of  last  August.  Though  he  knew  that  the  ball  had 
not  been  found  by  the  surgeons  who  made  a  partial 
diagnosis  of  the  wound,  and  knowing  too  that  the  ball, 
wherever  it  had  lodged,  had  had  the  effect  of  produc 
ing  at  different  times,  queer  sensations  of  dizziness  and 
numbness  of  certain  muscles,  yet  with  all  these  serious 
premonitions  of  his  approaching  end,  he  preferred  to 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863. 

remain  with  his  company  as  long  as  he  could  stand 
upon  his  feet.  He  fell  paralyzed  at  the  battle  of  Cane 
Hill,  at  a  place  where  his  company  was  required  to> 
dismount  and  scale  the  mountain  on  foot,  in  order  to> 
dislodge  the  enemy  from  a  certain  position.  I  am 
perfectly  conscious  that  if  these  few  simple  words- 
referred  to  the  sufferings  and  death  of  some  general 
officer  instead  of  a  private  soldier,  they  would  be  read 
by  many  with  greater  eagerness,  and  touch  deeper  their 
sympathetic  emotions.  But  he  was  my  brother,  and  I 
would  be  recreant  to  my  conscience,  were  I  not,  in 
passing,  to  mention  that  noble  devotion  to  duty  whicli 
hastened  his  death.  And  in  speaking  of  him  I  speak 
of  thousands  of  other  noble  men  who  have  recently 
laid  down  their  lives  in  defense  of  their  country. 

Only  a  few  days  ago,  referring  to  the  dangers  and 
hardships  of  the  war,  and  the  intense  anxiety  she  felt 
for  us  when  in  the  field,  mother  said  that  she  looked 
forward  to  the  time  when  the  war  would  be  over  with 
the  profoundest  interest,  so  that  she  might  have  all 
her  sons  home  to  sit  down  togethei  with  her  at  the 
same  table.  But  alas!  her  picture  of  a  united  family 
after  the  war,  in  whatever  manner  it  may  terminate, 
can  now  never  be  realized 

Why  should  I  refer  to  these  expressions  of  grief 
in  our  home?  Thousands  of  mothers  over  this  land 
are  this  day  mourning  for  their  husbands  and  sons 
who  will  never  return  home  from  the  war,  Nor  da 
we  see  the  end  of  these  sacrifices  yet,  of  the  noblest 
and  best  of  our  country.  And  there  are  doubtless 


124  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

hundreds  of  families  from  whom  more  than  one  son 
has  been  sacrificed  in  the  cause  of  the  Union.  We 
have  only  a  faint  realization  of  the  horrors  of  war  un 
til  some  calamity  like  this  comes  to  our  own  doors  and 
invades  our  family. 


CHAPTEK  YI. 

The  Author's  return  to  his  division  at  Scott's  Mills— Colonel  Phil 
lips'  popularity  with  his  troops — Rebels  returning  and  taking 
the  oath  of  allegiance — Indians  make  good  troops  to  fight 
bushwhackers — Increase  of  wild  game  since  the  war — A  de 
tachment  of  Federal  troops  worsted  in  a  skirmish  with  guer 
rillas — Captain  Conkey  loses  eleven  men  by  capture — Guer 
rilla  chieftains  commissioned  by  the  Rebel  authorities — Com 
ments  on  plans  proposed  by  some  to  break  up  the  guerrilla 
warfare — Sickness  and  heavy  mortality  among  the  Indian 
Refugees  at  Neosho — Sick  and  wounded  being  removed  from 
Fayetteville  to  Fort  Scott — The  classes  of  the  enemy  the  Fed 
erals  have  to  deal  with — Bushwhackers — Guerrillas — Detach 
ments  returning  to  and  leaving  the  State — The  regular  forces 
in  our  front — Illustrations — Incidents  from  the  Expedition  to 
Low  Jack — The  battle  of  Coon  Creek — Concluding  remark* 
on  the  Indians. 

The  12th  of  February  I  joined  the  Indian  division 
at  Scott's  Jkf  ills,  McDonald  County,  Missouri,  on  the 
Cowskin  river,  twenty-two  miles  south  west  of  Neosho, 
and  about  the  same  distance  north  of  our  old  camp 
at  Maysville.  The  bottom  lands  along  the  stream  are 
excellent,  and  there  are  numerous  fine  farms,  on  most 
of  which  fine  crops  were  raised  last  year.  The  move 
ment  of  the  division  to  this  place  is  not  regarded  as 
retrograde  or  falling  back,  but  simply  for  the  purpose 


126  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

of  more  easily  supplying  our  animals  with  forage  and 
provisioning  the  refugee  families  with  us.  The  mills 
here  are  in  very  good  condition,  and  daily  turn  out 
large  quantities  of  meal  and  flour,  which  will  do  much 
to  relieve  the  demands  of  hunger  among  the  refugees. 
Since  we  left  Elm  Springs  as  a  separate  command, 
Colonel  Phillips  has  steadily  grown  in  popularity  with 
his  troops,  and  we  now  believe  him  to  be  an  able  and 
judicious  commander.  At  the  end  of  a  month  he  has 
made  no  mistake,  but  on  the  contrary  has  managed 
the  affairs  of  his  District  in  a  manner  deserving  the 
warmest  commendation. 

The  active  operations  of  this  command,  and  of  the 
troops  at  Neosho  under  Major  John  A.  Foreman, 
against  the  guerrillas  in  this  section,  are  beginning  to 
have  a  wholesome  effect.  Scarcely  a  day  passes  that 
.a  squad  of  rebels  do  not  come  in  and  take  the  oath  of 
allegiance  and  ask  the  protection  of  the  Government. 
Those  who  come  in  generally  express  the  opinion  that 
many  more  would  come  if  they  knew  that  they  would 
be  protected  and  allowed  to  live  at  home  instead  of 
being  sent  north  at  prisoners.  They  are  mostly  re 
garded  with  mistrust,  for  it  has  sometimes  turned  out 
that  those  whom  we  received  and  treated  kindly,  soon 
became  dissatisfied  with  the  situation,  and  went  south 
again  and  joined  the  guerrillas.  Until  we  came  here, 
bushwhackers  were  as  plenty  as  wild  game  up  and 
down  this  river,  but  during  the  last  two  weeks,  quite 
a  number  have  been  killed  by  our  troops.  They  will 
hardly  be  able  to  find  a  safe  retreat  anywhere  in  the 


ON  THE   BORDER.— 1863.  127 

vicinity  of  this  command.  An  Indian  seems  to  me  to 
almost  scent  a  secret  foe.  I  think  this  trait  or  char 
acteristic  may  be  to  some  extent  accounted  for  by  many 
of  them  following  their  natural  mode  of  life — that  is 
of  hunting  in  the  woods  for  game  for  miles  around  the 
camp. 

It  is  well  known  to  every  one  in  the  least  familiar 
with  this  section  during  antebellum  times,  that  the 
game  in  this  region,  such  as  deer  and  wild  turkeys, 
have  increased  in  great  numbers  the  past  two  years. 
Many  hogs  have  become  wild  in  the  river  bottoms 
and  flee  from  the  sight  of  man  like  a  deer.  When  the 
houses  have  been  burned  and  the  fences  around  the 
farms  destroyed,  as  we  find  here  and  there,  animals 
like  hogs,  that  live  without  constant  attention  from 
man,  soon  run  wild.  The  game  that  the  Indians  have 
killed  this  winter  would  probably,  if  we  could  estimate 
it,  form  quite  an  item  in  the  way  of  maintaining  their 
families. 

It  occasionally  happens  that,  in  a  contest  with  the 
guerillas  in  this  section,  small  detachments  of  our 
troops  get  worsted.  On  the  first  instant,  a  detach 
ment  from  the  command  at  Neosho  had  a  skirmish 
with  a  company  of  guerillas  on  Burkhart  prairie, 
twelve  miles  north-west  of  that  post,  and  had  two 
men  badly  wounded,  without  inflicting  any  loss  on 
the  enemy  as  far  as  is  known.  The  commanding 
officer  of  the  post,  Major  Foreman,  immediately  sent 
out  a  larger  force,  about  a  hundred  men,  to  the  vicinity 
where  the  skirmish  took  place,  but  it  returned  to  its 


]28  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

station  after  having  captured  one  wagon  loaded  with, 
plunder,  and  having  chased  the  enemy  several  miles 
through  the  woods. 

Captain  Theo.  Conkey,  of  the  Third  Wisconsin  cav 
alry,  who  has  recently  been  operating  along  the  Spring 
River,  in  Jasper  County,  against  the  guerillas,  had  a 
lively  contest  a  few  days  ago  with  Livingston's  band, 
and  in  the  affair,  had  half  a  dozen  of  his  men  captur 
ed.  The  loss  sustained  by  the  enemy,  if  any,  I  have 
been  unable  to  ascertain,  as  Captain  Conkey  receives 
his  orders  from  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Scott. 
Livingston,  we  understand,  is  commissioned  by  and 
acting  under  regular  orders  from  the  rebel  authorities, 
and  is  not  accused  of  killing  his  prisoners  like  Quan- 
trell,  whose  operations  are  confined  chiefly  to  Jackson 
and  Cass  counties,  and  with  whom  we  had  a  number 
of  skirmishes  last  May.  But  Livingston  attacks  our 
supply  trains,  and  his  numerous  predatory  actions 
about  unprotected  points  have  given  him  considerable 
prominence  during  the  last  year.  Whenever  our  troops 
come  upon  him  with  equal,  or  perhaps,  somewhat 
superior  numbers,  he  never  stands,  but  soon  scatters  his 
men  in  small  squads,  permitting  them  sometimes  to 
return  to  their  homes  tor  a  few  days.  But  between 
Neosho  and  Fort  Scott,  a  distance  of  eighty  miles, 
there  is  no  point,  except  a  camp  on  Dry  Wood,  four 
teen  miles  south  of  Fort  Scott,  where  we  have  any 
troops  stationed.  This  large  space  of  unoccupied 
country  gives  a  wide  field  of  operations  for  such  an 
organization  as  Livingston's.  And  until  we  can  estab- 


ON  THE   BOKDER-1863.  129 

lish  more  numerous  stations  along  the  western  border 
tier  of  counties  in  this  State,  it  will  probably  be  difficult, 
iff  not  impossible,  to  entirely  break  up  such  guerilla 
bands  and  also  bushwhacking.  To  accomplish  this 
object,  there  are  some  who  favor  applying  the  torch 
indiscriminately,  to  the  houses  of  Union  people  and 
rebels.  I  can  never  conscientiously  favor  such  a 
scheme  ;  nor  do  I  believe  that  the  evil  requires  such 
heroic  treatment  at  our  hands.  I  have  seen  the  stand 
ing  chimneys  and  smoking  ruins  of  desolated  homes 
of  Union  people  as  well  as  rebels  too  often  to  wish  to 
see  such  scenes  renewed  in  a  wholesale  manner.  Nor 
do  I  believe  that  such  acts  on  our  part  would  remedy 
the  evil  which  we  wish  to  extirpate.  It  seems  to  me 
that  the  enemy  could  occupy  the  desolate  country  all 
the  same,  and  make  his  incursions  into  Kansas  and 
into  the  counties  of  Missouri  still  further  to  the 
east.  Though  my  age  and  position  would  not,  to  the 
minds  of  many,  justify  my  presuming  to  criticise  the 
actions  of  those  whose  maturer  years  have  given 
them  more  varied  experiences,  and  in  many  things  a 
sounder  judgment,  yet  I  venture  to  think  that 
our  officers  have  too  often  permitted  the  indiscrimin 
ate  destruction  of  private  property,  which  should  not 
have  been  destroyed,  thus  causing  a  needless  amount 
of  suffering  among  those  whom  we  should  endeavor 
to  protect  in  the  possession  of  their  lives  and  pro 
perty.  I  am  perfectly  willing,  however,  to  do  such 
officers  the  justice  to  believe  that  they  seldom  or  never 
permit  such  acts,  after  thinking  over  the  consequen- 
9 


130  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

<ces,  with  such  deliberation  as  I  may  be  able  to  do 
when  setting  down  to  write  on  the  subject.  An  officer 
marching  through  the  country  at  the  head  of  his 
squadron  or  regiment,  without  the  thought  of  an 
enemy  being  near,  is  suddenly  fired  upon  at  a  certain 
place  by  a  party  of  guerrillas,  and  gets  one  or  more 
of  his  men  killed  or  wounded.  His  first  thought  is 
likely  to  be,  that  the  family  living  on  the  place  have 
been  giving  the  enemy  aid  and  comfort.  This  may 
be  true  or  may  not.  But  the  chances  are  that  the 
house  will  be  burned,  without  making  a  thorough  in 
vestigation  to  ascertain  whether  those  occupying  it 
were  in  sympathy  with,  or  knew  anything  about  the 
presence  of,  the  enemy. 

Then  there  are  people  whose  sympathies  are  divided 
concerning  the  issues  involved  in  the  war;  I  mean  by 
this  that,  taking  a  large  number  of  citizens  such  as  we 
have  to  deal  with,  their  loyalty  would  perhaps  range 
from  slight  to  complete  without  qualification.  Some 
again,  though  they  sympathize  with  the  Government, 
and  really  wish  its  success,  yet  having  relatives  and 
friends  in  the  rebel  army  who  are  very  dear 
to  them,  have  not  the  courage  to  utter  their  convictions 
in  a  strong  and  positive  manner.  The  question  arises, 
should  the  slightly  loyal  receive  the  punishment  or  be 
treated  the  same  as  the  disloyal  who  are  tooth  and 
nail  against  us?  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  an  appar 
ently  very  simple  question,  becomes  quite  involved, 
when  looked  at  closely.  It  is  therefore  useless  to  sup 
pose  that  the  sturdy  soldier  will  enter  into  all  these 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  131 

hair  splitting  niceties  before  giving  his  orders.  He 
looks  at  things  just  as  they  present  themselves  to  him, 
and  if  injustice  is  done,  it  may  be,  that  after  reflection, 
no  one  would  regret  it  more  keenly  than  himself. 
Taking  this  view  of  the  matter,  relieves  in  a  measure 
our  officers  of  the  charge  of  permitting  unnecessary 
destruction  of  private  property.  In  all  those  extraor 
dinary  cases  where  private  property  has  been  destroyed 
by  our  troops,  that  clearly  should  not  have  been  des 
troyed,  the  Government  should,  and  probably  will,  in 
time,  pay  for,  provided  of  course,  that  the  parties  to 
whom  it  belongs  are  loyal  to  the  United  States.  I 
would  not  destroy  even  the  property  of  rebel  citizens 
except  in  cases  of  military  necessity;  and  then  it  is  not 
supposable  that  any  demand  will  ever  be  made  upon 
the  Government  for  payment.  But  let  us  pass  from 
this  question  which,  in  a  few  years,  will  doubtless 
engage  the  attention  of  legislators. 

Parties  coming  from  Neosho  report  that  there  is  a 
great  deal  of  sickness  among  the  Indian  soldiers  and 
their  families  at  that  place.  Taking  into  account  the 
number  of  Indians  there,  and  the  number  sick,  the 
mortality  amongst  them  is  considered  very  high.  The 
prevailing  type  of  disease  which  is  now  taking  off  so 
many  of  them,  I  understand  is  typhoid  fever.  The 
hardships  incident  to  leaving  their  homes  in  the 
Nation,  and  innutritious  food  and  insufficient  quanti 
ties  of  food,  together  with  the  poorly  clad  condition  of 
many,  are  probably  among  the  causes  of  this  high 
mortality  in  some  of  the  families.  But  of  course  the 


132  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   "REBELLION 

remark  in  regard  to  food  and  clothing  cannot  apply  to 
the  Indian  soldiers,  for  they  are  as  well  fed  and 
clothed  as  we  are,  that  is,  they  have  had  their  regular 
allowances  during  the  winter.  But  the  families  and 
each  member  thereof  have  not  perhaps  had  full  rations 
during  the  winter,  Though  great  care  and  interest 
have  been  manifested  by  Colonel  Phillips  in  looking 
after  them,  yet  it  has  been  impossible  to  make  them  as 
comfortable  as  at  their  homes.  The  want  of  proper 
sheltering  has  also  probably  in  many  cases  contributed 
to  their  discomforts  and  sickness.  Home  sickness, 
from  being  exiles,  also  doubtless  has  a  depressing  in 
fluence  amongst  some  of  them. 

Such  of  the  sick  and  wounded  at  Fayetteville  and 
in  the  field  hospitals  of  this  division  as  will  bear 
removing,  are  being  taken  to  Fort  Scott.  The  General 
Hospital  at  that  place  is  better  provided  with  every 
thing  essential  to  their  proper  care  and  treatment. 
The  great  difficulty  is  to  get  them  there  without  increas 
ing  too  much  their  suffering.  But  men  convalescing  from 
the  effects  of  wounds,  and  placed  in  ambulances,  and 
the  ambulances  driven  carefully,  should  be  taken  the 
distance  from  Fayetteville  to  Fort  Scott,  say  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  without  great  inconvenience, 
except  while  en  route  they  should  be  struck  with 
a  change  of  extremely  cold  weather,  or  a  storm  of 
sleet  or  snow.  Even  then,  the  heavy  woolen  blankets 
with  which  every  soldier  is  provided,  would  enable 
them  to  get  through  without  much  suffering.  Should 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  133 

the  present  fine  weather  continue  a  few  days  longer, 
they  will  have  reached  their  destination  in  good  con 
dition. 

Yesterday  (15th),  Colonel  Phillips  sent  a  squad  of 
ten  rebel  prisoners  that  we  recently  captured,  to  Neo- 
sho,  Missouri,  to  be  held  until  there  is  an  opportunity 
of  sending  them  to  Fort  Scott  or  Leaven  worth. 

We  have  four  classes  of  the  enemy  to  deal  with  in 
this  section. 

First,  the  bushwhackers,  who  are  unorganized  and 
generally  found  singly,  but,  as  sometimes  happens,  in 
squads  of  two  to  half  a  dozen.  They  are  generally 
men  who  stay  around  in  the  vicinity  of  their  homes, 
and  fire  upon  our  troops  from  bluffs  or  other  inacces 
sible  points,  or  when  they  see  one  of  our  soldiers 
alone  on  dispatch  or  courier  duty  shoot  him  off  his 
horse  with  their  rifles,  and  despoil  him  of  his  arms, 
clothing,  money  and  equipments.  Since  we  came 
into  this  region  last  autumn,  we  have  had  quite  a 
number  of  men  who  were  either  with  the  advance  or 
rear  guard,  or  on  escort  duty  to  trains,  killed  and 
wounded  by  bushwhackers.  Though  of  course  bush 
whackers  are  all  rebels,  yet  I  think  that  most  of  them 
are  men  of  bad  blood,  men  whose  natural  inclinations 
and  evil  tendencies  lead  them  to  follow  a  robber  life. 
They  only  take  advantage  of  the  existing  chaotic  state 
of  things  to  show  their  true  characters.  Should  the 
war  immediately  cease,  probably  only  a  small  percent 
age  of  such  desperate  characters  would  return  to  or  adopt 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

an  honest  mode  of  life.  But  putting  themselves  outside 
the  pale  of  civilized  warfare,  they  will  likely  nearly  all 
be  killed  off  in  a  few  years.  I  may  be  judging  them 
too  harshly,  but  in  the  light  of  such  facts  as  have 
come  under  my  notice,  I  don't  think  so. 

Second,  guerrilla  bands,  men  having  some  sort  of 
military  organization,  and  whose  movements  are  direct 
ed  by  a  leader.  Most  of  the  leaders  of  the  guerrillas  with 
whom  we  have  to  contend,  I  have  frequently  heard, 
hold  commissions  from  the  Confederate  government, 
or  the  fugitive  Governor  of  Missouri.  Livingston 
whom  I  have  already  referred  to,  may  be  cited  as  an 
instance.  The  function  of  guerrillas  is  similar  to  that 
of  privateers.  While  the  privateer  is  commissione  d 
by  the  rebel  authorities  to  prey  upon  our  marine  com 
merce,  the  guerrillas  are  commissioned  to  prey  upon 
our  inland  commerce,  destroy  public  property,  such  as 
trains,  &c.,  and  to  impede  our  movements  in  every 
possible  manner.  Though  as  I  have  mentioned,  Liv 
ingston  is  not  accused  of  murdering  his  prisoners  in 
cold  blood,  yet  our  soldiers  feel,  and  I  think  justly  so, 
that  their  lives  would  be  very  insecure  in  the  hands  of 
most  guerrilla  leaders,  like  Quantrill  for  example. 
We  have  to  be  always  on  the  lookout  for  guerrillas, 
and  our  trains  are  obliged  to  be  always  well  guarded, 
for  if  the  enemy  capture  a  courier  with  dispatches,  or 
a  soldier  from  a  scouting  party,  they  may  get  informa 
tion  that  will  enable  them  to  concentrate  at  a  given 
point  and  attack  our  escort  and  trains  from  an  ambush. 
This  mode  of  warfare  often  enables  a  small  force  to 


ON  THE   BORDER— 18C3.  135 

defeat  a  superior  force  encumbered  with  trains.  In 
fact  the  concealed  enemy  has  a  great  advantage  when 
he  attacks  about  an  equal  number  of  our  troops.  An 
enemy  of  a  hundred  men  concealed  in  a  favorable 
position,  might  kill  and  wound  half  a  company  of 
soldiers  the  first  volley.  The  rest,  if  not  thrown  into 
confusion  by  such  a  sudden  burst  of  destruction, 
would  in  such  case  be  unable  to  cope  with  the  enemy 
flushed  by  his  success.  To  guard  against  such  disas 
ters  a  military  commander  must  be  always  wideawake 
and  on  the  alert,  and  he  must  know  the  strength  of  the 
enemy  in  his  rear  as  well  as  in  his  front.  We  now 
believe  that  the  enemy,  in  whatever  manner  he  may 
choose  to  operate  against  us,  will  have  to  be  exceed 
ingly  industrious  and  wide  awake  to  gain  a  point  on 
Colonel  Phillips.  His  movements  on  the  military 
chessboard  show  that  he  is  not  likely  to  be  checkmated 
or  broken  up  by  an  opponent  handling  an  equal  num 
ber  of  men. 

Third,  rebels  returning  to  their  homes  in  that 
section  of  the  State  from  which  they  entered  the  rebel 
army ;  or  rebels  leaving  the  vicinity  of  their  homes  in 
detachments  to  join  the  rebel  army,  or  to  remain  south 
during  the  progress  of  the  war.  Whether  leaving  the 
State  in  detachments,  or  returning  to  it  in  detachments, 
they  rarely  show  an  inclination  to  assume  the  offensive, 
seeming  to  prefer  to  pass  through  the  country  unob 
served.  But  those  leaving  the  State,  when  they  find 
that  there  is  a  fair  prospect  of  capturing  property  that 
can  be  taken  along  without  impeding  their  movements, 


136  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

are  not  so  careful  to  avoid  contact  with  our  troops. 
Even  if  their  attacks  be  unsuccessful,  and  they 
completely  fail  in  any  given  design,  they  can  continue 
their  inarch  southward  without  increasing  the  danger 
of  being  intercepted  and  captured.  Only  a  few  weeks 
ago,  at  Neosho,  our  pickets  were  fired  into  one  night, 
as  was  supposed,  by  quite  a  force  of  the  enemy  going 
south,  but  as  they  found  that  we  were  not  to  be  sur 
prised,  decided  to  make  no  further  demonstration. 

The  enemy  returning  to  the  State  may  have  either 
of  two  objects  in  view.  He  may  be  intending  to  fol 
low  a  guerrilla  warfare,  or  he  may  be  intending  to 
concentrate  at  some  point  designated,  to  make  a  com 
bined  movement  against  some  place  occupied  by  a 
given  number  of  our  troops.  A  combined  movement 
of  this  kind  he  made  against  Lone  Jack  in  Jackson 
county,  Missouri,  on  the  15th  and  16th  of  last  August, 
resulting  in  the  defeat  of  our  troops  with  a  heavy  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  capture  of  a  section 
of  the  Third  Indiana  Battery.*  "We  marched  day  and 

*  The  following  casualties  at  the  battle  of  Lone  Jack  on  the 
Federal  side,  I  have  gathered  from  official  data  :  Second  battal 
ion  Missouri  State  Militia,  killed,  enlisted  men,  4;  wounded, 
officers,  1  ;  enlisted  men,  5  ;  missing,  officers,  1  ;  enlisted  men,  5. 
Sixth  Missouri  State  Militia,  killed,  enlisted  men,  9  ;  wounded, 
officers,  5  ;  enlisted  men,  35  ;  missing,  enlisted  men,  17.  Seventh 
Missouri  Volunteer  cavalry,  killed,  officers,  2  ;  enlisted  men,  19  ; 
wounded,  officers,  3  ;  enlisted  men,  62  ;  missing,  enlisted  men,  11. 
Two  Companies  Seventh  Missouri  State  Militia  cavalry,  killed, 
enlisted  men,  G  ;  wounded,  officers,  1 ;  enlisted  men,  14  ;  missing, 
enlisted  men,  6.  Eighth  Missouri  State  Militia  cavalry,  killed, 
enlisted  men,  9  ;  wounded,  officers,  2  ;  enlisted  men,  28 ;  missing, 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  137 

enlisted  men,  4.  Third  Indiana  battery,  killed,  enlisted  men,  5  ; 
Total  killed,  officers,  2  ;  enlisted  men,  51  ;  wounded,  officers,  13  ; 
enlisted  men,  144,  exclusive  of  the  Third  Indiana  battery  ;  mis 
sing,  officers,  1 ;  enlisted  men,  43. 

Major  Emory  S.  Foster,  Seventh  Missouri  cavalry,  who  com 
manded  our  troops  in  the  engagement,  reports  that  he  had  about 
800  men,  and  that  one-third  of  this  force  were  killed,  wounded 
aod  missing.  This  was  one  of  the  most  gallant  fights  of  the 
war,  for  a  small  force.  The  enemy  had  2,500  men. 

night  from  Fort  Scott  to  Lone  Jack,  to  reinforce  our 
troops,  but  when  we  arrived  on  the  ground  we  were 
mortified  to  learn  that  the  battle  had  been  fought  the 
day  before.  The  enemy  under  Generals  Shelby  and 
Cockrell  were  still  encamped  on  the  field  ;  but  when 
we  came  in  sight,  instead  of  giving  battle,  as  we  an 
ticipated  they  would  after  their  recent  victory,  they 
retreated.  It  was  about  six  o'clock  when  we  came  up, 
and  General  Blunt  immediately  commenced  to  form 
his  troops  in  line  of  battle,  as  the  enemy  seemed  to  be 
making  some  kind  of  hostile  movements.  I  was  with 
Colonel  Jewell  and  General  Blunt,  and  some  of  his 
staff  were  near  us.  We  expected  every  moment  that 
the  enemy  were  going  to  open  fire  upon  us,  for  we 
could  plainly  see  him  coming  down  the  road  towards 
us  about  half  a  mile  off.  We  could  also  see,  that 
when  they  came  to  a  certain  point  they  seemed  to  file 
to  their  left,  which  was  our  right,  as  we  had  formed  in 
line.  We  supposed  that  they  were  aiming  to  turn 
our  right,  and  General  Blunt  threw  out  skirmishers 
to  discover  their  intentions.  Our  infantry,  consisting 
of  the  Ninth  and  Twelfth  regiments  from  Wisconsin^ 


138  MEMOIKS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

wnich  had  been  put  into  lour-mule  Government 
wagons  at  Fort  Scott,  had  just  arrived,  but  it  was- 
now  getting  dark,  and  an  approaching  storm,  together 
with  our  ignorance  of  the  topographical  condition  of 
that  section,  made  it  impossible  to  commence  an  im 
mediate  attack.  The  rain  came  down  in  torrents,  and 
it  was  soon  intensely  dark.  We  quickly  discovered, 
however,  that  the  road  half  a  mile  beyond  the  head  of 
our  column  diverged,  coming  toward  us,  and  that  the 
enemy,  instead  of  preparing  to  make  the  attack,  had 
taken  the  left-hand  road  at  the  point  of  divergence, 
and  were  in  full  retreat.  We  moved  about  cautiously 
in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  for  the  country  was  bad 
ly  cut  up  by  ditches  or  wash-outs,  and  quite  a  number 
of  our  ambulances,  caissons  and  artillery  wagons  got 
partially  or  completely  upset,  and  into  positions  from 
which  it  required  much  labor  to  extricate  them.  The 
trail  of  the  enemy  was  discovered  during  the  night, 
and  when  the  dim  light  of  morning  came,  our  ad 
vance  was  just  in  sight  of  the  rebel  rear  guard.  But 
neither  the  enemy  nor  our  forces  had  marched  many 
miles  during  the  dark  rainy  night,  for  we  were  forming 
our  squadrons  here  and  there,  expecting  every  moment 
to  run  into  the  rebel  cavalry.  The  entire  force  of  the 
enemy,  numbering  fully  twenty  five  hundred  men, 
had  moved  around  us  during  the  night,  and  now  com 
menced  a  hasty  retreat  towards  the  southern  part  of 
the  State.  We  pursued  them  day  and  night,  giving 
only  a  few  hours  each  day  to  ourselves  and  to  our  ani 
mals  to  take  food  and  rest,  and  struck  them  with  our 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863. 

cavalry  about  one  hundred  miles  south  of  Lone  Jack 
at  Coon  Creek,  in  which  engagement  twenty-six  men 
were  killed  and  wounded  in  the  company  to  which 
my  brother  belonged,  and,  as  I  have  already  stated,  he 
was  among  the  wounded.  Captain  H.  S.  Green  of 
the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry  was  among  the  severely 
wounded  while  gallantly  leading  his  men.  We  could 
not  hold  the  rebel  force  until  the  rest  of  our  cavalry, 
artillery  and  infantry  came  up,  and  this  affair  practi 
cally  ended  the  expedition,  though  a  portion  of  the 
cavalry  continued  the  pursuit  almost  to  the  southern 
line  of  the  State. 

I  have  entered  somewhat  into  details  because  we  did 
some  extraordinary  inarching,  and  also  because  I  wish 
ed  to  point  out  how  an  enemy  passing  us  in  small  de 
tachments,  may  form  in  our  rear  a  formidable  army. 

The  Fourth  class  of  the  enemy  we  have  to  deal 
with,  is  his  organized  or  regular  forces  which  we  ex 
pect  to  find  in  our  front.  Whether  we  shall  seek  him 
or  he  shall  us,  it  may  take  the  approach  of  spring,  or 
even  summer  to  decide.  In  the  meantime  we  shall 
endeavor  to  hold  our  own  ground  in  this  section,  keep 
our  animals  in  as  good  condition  as  possible*  and  not 
permit  our  arms  to  rust. 

We  have  very  favorable  reports  from  Captain  A.  C. 
Spillman  of  this  division,  who  has  been  in  command 
of  the  post  at  Neosho  since  Major  Foreman  left  there. 
Captain  Spillman  is  showing  himself  to  be  a  very 
competent  and  energetic  young  officer.  His  scouting 
parties  are  active  in  hunting  down  bushwhacker  and 


140  M^MOIBS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

in  making  that  section  an  unsafe  and   an   uncomfort- 

O 

-able  retreat  for  them.  Colonel  Phillips  has  not  only 
shown  sound  judgment  in  the  general  management  of 
his  division,  but  also  in  the  selection  of  officers  for 
his  staff  as  coniidential  advisers,  and  also  other  offi 
cers  of  special  fitness  for  special  duties.  Probably  few 
officers  could  be  found  who  would  make  a  better  As 
sistant  Adjutant  General  than  Captain  William  Gal- 
laher,  or  a  better  Judge  Advocate  than  Captain  Joel 
Moody.  Of  Captain  Gallaher  I  can  speak  from  per 
sonal  knowledge,  as  I  have  known  him  since  I  entered 
the  service. 

Colonel  William  F.  Cloud,  Second  Kansas  cavalry, 
who  is  now  in  command  of  the  District  of  South 
west  Missouri,  with  head  quarters  at  Springfield,  was 
at  Neosha  yesterday,  20th  instant,  with  a  detachment 
of  the  7th  Missouri  State  Militia  and  one  company 
of  his  own  regiment,  having  been  on  a  scout  of  several 
days  in  search  of  Livingston's  band.  If  the  remain 
der  of  General  Blunt's  division,  which  separated  from 
us  at  Elm  Springs,  is  occupying  the  country  around 
Springfield,  it  would  seem  Colonel  Phillips'  division 
is  now  occupying  the  most  advanced  position  of  any 
of  our  troops  in  the  west.  It  would  also  seem  that  he 
is  holding  a  more  important  position,  and  actually 
doing  more  service  than  any  two  brigadier-generals 
in  General  Schoneld's  department.  We  have  here  a 
few  illustrations  of  the  manner  in  which  meritorious 
millitary  service  is  too  often  regarded.  It  is  thought 
by  some  that  General  Schofield  would  prefer  to  re- 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  141 

ward  with  promotion  an  incapable  volunteer  officer 
than  a  really  deserving  one.  I  have  heard  the  remark, 
that  "  if  he  could  have  a  division  of  troops  and  re 
view  them  once  a  week  on  a  level  plain  in  fair  weather, 
perhaps  there  are  few  officers  who  could  shine  equally 
with  him,  but  that  as  an  active  Held  officer,  who 
will  acomplish  deeds  such  as  to  win  admiration  even 
from  the  foe,  recent  experiences  show  him  to  be  al 
most  a  complete  failure."  It  may  be,  however,  that  in 
the  light  of  just  and  intelligent  criticism,  his  merit 
would  shine  with  a  brighter  lustre  than  it  does  with  us. 
In  some  other  field,  if  he  goes  to  the  front,  it  may  not 
be  difficult  to  inspire  his  troops  with  confidence.  But 
there  are  many  who  think  that  for  the  good  of  the 
cause  for  which  we  are  fighting,  he  should  be  removed 
from  this  department. 

The  Cherokee  Council,  which  has  been  in  session, 
several  weeks,  adjourned  on  the  22nd,  sine  die.  Most 
of  the  prominent  men  of  the  Nation  were  present,  and 
made  speeches  in  regard  to  the  passage  of  certain  laws 
touching  the  interests  of  the  Cherokee  people.  One 
of  the  most  important  measures  which  they  have  had 
under  discussion,  has  for  its  object  the  abolition  of 
slavery  in  the  Cherokee  Nation  at  an  early  day. 
While  slavery  has  for  some  generations  existed  in  the 
Cherokee  Nation,  it  has  never  existed  in  that  form 
which  characterized  the  institution  in  the  Southern 
States.  The  Indians  have  been  with  us  now  upwards 
of  six  months,  and,  from  what  we  have  seen,  it  is 
doubtless  true  that  slavery  of  the  negroes  amongst 


142  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

them  lias  been  only  in  name.  They  never  act  towards 
the  Indians  with  that  reserve  and  sign  of  respect 
noticeable  when  they  come  into  our  presence.  I  am 
satisfied  that  the  hardships  of  slavery  amongst  the 
Indians  were  never  comparable  to  the  hardships  of 
slavery  in  the  cotton-raising  States.  It  would  perhaps 
be  difficult  to  impress  any  negro  with  the  idea  that 
there  is  as  great  a  distance  between  him  and  an  Indian 
as  there  is  between  him  and  a  white  man.  In  some 
respects  I  think  myself  that  there  is  very  little  differ 
ence,  particularly  in  matters  involving  social  status. 
The  possibilities  of  a  negro  here  are  probably  very 
nearly,  if  not  quite,  equal  to  the  possibilities  of  the 
Indian,  as  far  as  intellectual  force  is  concerned.  And 
from  my  own  observations  I  believe  that  they  are,  as  a 
race,  more  able  to  stand  contact  with  what  we  call 
high  civilization,  than  the  Indians.  "When  I  traveled 
over  several  of  the  cotton-raising  States,  a  year  before 
the  war  commenced,  from  a  good  many  inquiries  which 
I  made,  I  became  convinced  that  the  degrading,  and  in 
many  instances  even  hard  life  of  slavery,  had  not  per 
ceptibly  diminished  the  reproductive  powers  of  the 
negroes.  Careful  inquiries  might,  however,  show,  in 
certain  sections,  where  both  sexes  have  been  worked 
very  hard  on  the  plantations,  that  their  reproductive 
powers  have  perceptibly  diminished.  Though  it  has 
been  but  a  few  centuries  since  they  were  brought  to 
this  Continent,  yet  when  we  contrast  their  peculiar 
traits  of  character  with  those  of  the  Indian,  we  are 
.sure  to  be  led  to  the  conclusion  that  they  will  exist  as 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  143 

a  distinct  race  among  us,  after  the  Indian  shall  have 
disappeared,  and  shall  only  be  referred  to  in  history 
as  an  extinct  race.  It  will  probably  not  be  many  gen 
erations  before  we  shall  be  contriving  means,  not  how 
to  kill  off  the  Indians,  but  how  to  preserve  the  few 
which  are  left.  Even  should  the  fifteen  to  twenty 
thousand  Cherokees  amalgamate  with  the  whites,  it  is 
not  likely  that,  in  the  course  of  a  dozen  generations, 
there  would  be  more  than  a  slight  trace  of  Indian  blood 
in  their  descendants.  Amalgamation  has  already 
taken  place  rather  extensively,  as  our  Indians  here 
plainly  show.  Indeed,  the  half-breeds  and  quarter- 
bloods  form  a  considerable  part  of  the  population  of 
the  Nation.  But  they  are,  I  have  been  informed, 
mostly  the  offspring  of  polygamous  marriages  and 
unions,  such  as  would  not  be  sanctioned  amongst  us. 
We  know  very  well  that  since  this  country  was  first 
settled  by  Europeans,  traders  and  adventurers  have 
lived  amongst  the  Indians,  and  it  seems  that,  by  form 
ing  temporary  unions,  and  sometimes  lasting  ones, 
with  the  native  women,  they  gain  certain  rights  and 
privileges  that  are  not  accorded  to  those  who  will 
not  enter  into  such  alliances.  Many  of  the  Cherokee 
women  have  very  good  features,  and  white  men  who 
desire  to  get  wived  may  perhaps,  often  be  congratu 
lated  upon  their  choice,  We  therefore  frequently  see 
amongst  these  "half-breeds,"  "quarter-bloods,"  &c., 
men  of  much  intelligence  and  force  of  character.  It 
is  not  unusual,  however,  for  them  to  display  the  adven 
turous  spirit  of  their  white  fathers,  and  the  fierceness 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 


of  their  native  mothers.  But  these  people  are  capable 
of  making  great  advances  in  civilization,  before  their 
veins  shall  have  been  drained  of  the  last  drop  of  In 
dian  blood. 


CHAPTER  YIL 

The  Indian  Division  moves  to  Pineville,  Mo — Remarks  on  the 
physical  aspect  of  the  country  and  its  resources — Few  dep 
redations  committed  considering  the  general  character  and 
condition  of  the  refugee  camp-followers — The  President's 
Emancipation  Proclamation — A  good  many  officers  and 
soldiers  opposed  to  it — It  is  a  military  necessity — It  is  just 
and  is  warmly  commended — The  Government  will  soon  have 
colored  troops  in  the  field — Colonel  Phillips'  brother  wounded 
— Colonel  Judson's  brigade  at  Mount  Vernon — The  Indian 
division  marches  to  Bentonville,  Arkansas— Description  of 
the  country — Rebel  prisoners  sent  to  Springfield— They  were 
brought  in  by  loyal  Arkansas  troops — A  meteor  of  great 
brightnsss  observed— Reflections  on  sidereal  worlds  and 
meteoric  displays— The  Indian  Delegation  go  to  Washington. 

THE  Indian  division  struck  tents  at  Scott's  Mills  and 
marched  leisurely  up  the  Cowskin  river  about  twenty 
miles,  and  encamped  near  Pineville,  the  county  seat 
of  McDonald  county,  on  the  21st  of  February.  We 
were  several  days  marching  this  distance,  because,  as  I 
suppose,  Colonel  Phillips  wishes  to  move  at  his  leisure 
to  those  localities  where  our  animals  can  be  most  easily 
foraged  until  spring  shall  have  advanced  far  enough  to 
justify  a  forward  movement.  As  we  are  to  go  from 
here  to  Bentonville,  Benton  county,  Arkansas,  in  a  few 
days,  we  are  now  doubtless  taking  the  first  stei:>s 
10 


146  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

towards  entering  upon  the  spring  campaign.  Our 
soldiers  seem  delighted  that  we  are  to  turn  our  faces 
to  the  South,  and  that  we  are  to  re-occupy  the  section 
from  which  we  were  withdrawn  the  first  of  the  year. 
This  is  not  much  of  an  agricultural  region,  as  there 
Is  not  much  soil  fit  for  cultivation,  except  along  the 
river  bottoms.  The  Cowskin  or  Elk  river,  which  flows 
in  a  westerly  course,  nearly  through  the  centre  of  the 
county,  is  not  perceptibly  smaller  here  than  at  Scott's 
"Mills.  It  differs  from  our  Kansas  rivers  in  this  respect, 
that  it  discharges  a  large  volume  of  water  the  year  round, 
while  they  almost  dry  up  during  the  summer  months 
of  dry  seasons.  With  some  attention  given  to  its 
improvement  for  navigation,  light  draft  steamers 
might  run  on  it  between  this  point  and  Grand  River 
several  months  of  the  year.  It  flows  over  a  gravelly 
bottom,  and  is  as  clear  as  a  crystal,  being  fed  by  per 
petual  springs.  Water-power  mills  have  been  con 
structed  upon  it  wherever  required.  In  this  vicinity, 
and  for  ten  or  fifteen  miles  above  here,  a  number 
of  saw  mills  were  in  operation  before  the  war,  making 
lumber.  This  is  the  only  county  in  southwest  Missouri 
in  which  there  are  any  pine  forests.  Hence,  therefore, 
all  the  pine  lumber  used  for  building  and  other  pur 
poses,  in  the  counties  north  and  east  of  this,  for  a 
distance  of  sixty  to  seventy-five  miles,  was  furnished 
by  this  section.  It  is  quite  different  from  the  white 
pine  shipped  from  the  north,  and  used  in  the  towns 
along  the  Missouri  river  and  in  Kansas.  It  is  known 
as  yellow  pine,  and  is  very  heavy,  containing  large 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  147 

quantities  of  resin  or  pitch.  A  piece  of  it  lighted 
will  burn  like  a  torch,  to  such  an  extent  is  it  saturated 
with  the  oil  of  turpentine.  Beiore  the  war  there  was 
also  manufactured  in  this  region  considerable  tar  or 
pitch,  obtained  from  this  yellow  pine.  It  was  used 
altogether  by  the  people  of  south  west  Missouri  and 
Arkansas  in  lubricating  the  wooden  axles  of  their  old- 
fashioned  wagons.  The  people  of  this  section  do  not 
use  for  lubricating  purposes,  oil,  tallow  or  axle  grease, 
as  we  do  on  our  wagons,  Perhaps  tar  would  not  be 
as  suitable  for  iron  axles,  such  as  are  used  in  the  army 
wagon. 

From  all  that  I  have  seen  of  this  county,  I  think  it 
is  too  poor  to  ever  attract  to  it  a  very  large  number 
of  immigrants.  .  It  is  possible,  however,  but  not 
probable,  that  these  rocky  hills  contain  hidden  treas 
ures  of  immense  value,  of  which  we  know  nothing  at 
present.  I  can  see  how  it  is  possible  to  utilize  the 
hilly  and  poor  upland  regions  to  some  extent.  They 
are  mostly  covered  with  fine  timber,  and  in  the  spring, 
summer  and  autumn  months,  with  a  fine  growth  of 
wild  grass.  When  all  the  land  which  is  fit  to  culti 
vate  along  the  streams  is  taken  up,  large  flocks  of  sheep 
and  goats  and  herds  of  cattle  can  be  pastured  during 
half  the  year,  at  little  expense,  on  the  bills  and 
uplands.  But  before  people  can  be  induced  to  come 
here  and  adopt  such  rigid  economy,  the  fertile  plains 
of  Kansas  and  the  richer  portions  of  this  State,  will 
be  densely  populated. 

In  some  sections  of  the  country  now,  the  destruction 


148  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

of  forests,  in  getting  timber  for  various  economical 
purposes,  is  more  rapid  than  their  growth.  Their 
destruction  must  become  even  more  marked,  as  the 
population  of  the  country  increases  and  its  resources 
are  steadily  developed.  The  time  is  therefore  coming 
when  the  forests  on  these  hills  will  be  quite  an  item 
of  commerce  to  this  section,  and  a  source  of  profit  to 
the  owners. 

Out  of  the  great  number  of  fine  springs  in  this  sec 
tion,  whose  clear  cold  water  is  a  luxury,  particularly 
during  the  summer  months,  it  is  possible  that  some 
of  them  may  possess  medicinal  properties,  which  will 
make  them  places  of  public  resort,  and  temporary 
abodes  for  invalids  from  all  parts  of  the  world. 

As  no  large  body  of  our  troops  have  been  in  this 
vicinity  since  last  autumn,  and  as  we  have  no  troops 
stationed  in  this  county  at  all,  a  good  many  rebels 
have  returned  from  the  southern  army  and  from  Texas 
and  southern  Arkansas,  and  have  been  living  at  their 
homes  nearly  all  winter.  Since  we  came  here,  some 
of  them  have  come  into  our  lines  and  taken  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  Government,  and  others  have  either 
gone  South,  or  remain  in  the  country  endeavoring  to 
avoid  capture  by  our  troops.  Only  a  few  weeks  ago  a 
party  of  a  dozen  or  so  rebels  in  this  vicinity,  sent  a 
message  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Neosho  that 
they  were  willing  to  come  in  and  surrender  and  take  the 
oath,  but  when  a  detachment  of  our  troops  came  down 
here  to  receive  them,  they  were  not  found.  It  is  re 
ported  that  they  had  some  fears  of  our  Indian  soldiers, 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863. 

and  went  to  Mount  Vernon  to  give  themselves  up  to 
the  proper  authorities.  From  all  that  I  can  hear,  I 
have  no  doubt  but  that  Colonel  Phillips'  firmness,  tem 
pered  with  moderation,  has  had  much  to  do  in  induc 
ing  those  who  have  recently  been  in  arms  against  the 
Government,  yet  who  have  realized  their  mistake  and 
feel  somwhat  friendly  inclined  towards  us,  to  come  in 
and  renew  their  allegiance  to  the  old  flag.  Though 
he  has  had  a  mixed  command  of  Indians  and  white 
men,  which  probably  few  officers  would  be  able  to 
manage  creditably,  yet  he  has  kept  his  soldiers  under 
perfect  control,  so  perfect,  indeed,  that  we  nowhere 
hear  of  houses  burned,  or  the  useless  destruction  of 
property.  This  is  almost  remarkable  considering  the 
great  number  of  refugees  and  camp-followers  of  every 
condition  and  color  and  phase  of  moral  character  he 
has  to  keep  his  eyes  upon.  While  we  were  encamped 
at  Maysville  some  colored  male  refugees  who  were 
caught  committing  some  unauthorized  depredations  in 
the  country,  were  punished  by  each  being  compelled 
to  carry  a  log  of  wood,  weighing  perhaps  thirty  to  forty 
pounds,  several  hours  each  day  for  two  or  three  days. 
The  punishment  of  those  men  has  had  a  wholesome 
eifect  in  preventing  the  reckless  and  indiscriminate 
plundering  that  would  surely  have  followed,  had  not 
our  commander  been  thus  prompt  in  setting  his  seal  of 
condemnation  upon  it.  ~No  one  can  tell  to  what 
length  a  mass  of  unorganized  and  ignorant  men  would 
go,  were  not  some  restraint  put  upon  their  actions.  It 
is  safe  to  say,  however,  that  the  lives  and  property  of 


150  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

no  class  in  the  vicinity  would  be  safe,  and  for  myself 
I  should  not  be  surprised  to  hear  of  them  cutting  their 
own.  throats,  were  they  permitted  to  follow  their  own 
unbridled  passions.  Colonel  Phillips  has  no  doubt 
carefully  considered  and  foreseen  the  result  which 
would  naturally  flow  from  allowing  refugees,  camp- 
followers,  or  even  his  own  troops,  to  commit  depreda 
tions  on  their  own  account.  When  he  sends  out  his 
forage  trains,  he  sends  them  under  officers  who  act  un 
der  specific  instructions.  Should  the  officer  in  charge 
of  a  train  go  outside  of  his  instructions,  and  take  any 
property  or  permit  it  to  be  taken  by  the  men  under 
him.  with  the  view  of  applying  it  to  private  use,  and 
complaint  be  made  to  headquarters,  Colonel  Phillips 
would  have  him  immediatly  Court-martialed,  and  if 
found  guilty  of  the  charges  preferred  against  him,  he 
would  be  dismissed  the  service.  But  while  he  is 
prompt  in  repressing  acts  that  would  tend  to  reflect 
upon  our  arms,  he  is  not  accused  of  acting,  in  any  case, 
hastly  and  without  sufficient  cause.  I  am  sure  that  it 
cannot  be  said  years  hence,  when  the  war  is  over,  that 
Colonel  Phillips,  with  perfect  indifference,  permitted 
the  Federal  troops  under  him  to  rob  the  women  of 
this  section  of  their  jewelry  and  other  trinkets.  But 
should  the  spirit  of  justice  and  moderation  that  have 
guided  his  action,  since  he  assumed  command  of  this 
division,  continue  to  guide  his  future  movements,  and 
should  he  be  spared  a  full  measure  of  years,  and  return 
to  this  section,  the  people  will  doubtless  welcome  him 
with  grateful  hearts,  and  point  to  him  as  a  Federal 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  151 

commander  whose  military  and  private   life  reflected 
luster  upon  the  cause  which  he  represented. 

The  President's  Emancipation  Proclamation,  which 
went  into  effect  on  the  first  of  January,  and  the  pros 
pect  of  immediately  arming  the  freedmen  to  fight  the 
enemy,  their  late  masters,  are  just  beginning  to  be 
warmly  discussed  by  officers  and  soldiers  arid  citizens. 
"We  hear  from  Neosho  and  other  sections  of  the  State, 
that  returned  rebels  and  many  democrats  regard  these 
new  measures  of  the  Government  with  a  good  deal  of 
bitterness,  and  predict  that  they  will  weaken  our  cause 
throughout  the  country.  They  pretend  to  think  that 
it  would  be  a  great  disgrace  to  the  Government  to 
permit  negro  soldiers  to  go  into  the  field  and  fight  by 
the  side  of  white  soldiers  of  the  Union  armies.  But 
these  guardians  of  propriety  and  advisers  of  the  Gov 
ernment,  see  no  objection  to  the  negroes  of  the  South 
raising  supplies  for  the  rebel  armies,  building  their 
fortifications,  acting  as  servants  for  officers,  and  in 
contributing  in  various  ways,  directly  and  indirectly, 
to  strengthening  the  backbone  of  the  Confederacy. 
They  wish  to  see  the  Government  compel  the  negroes 
to  continue  forging  the  chains  intended  to  keep  them 
bound  in  slavery  for  ever.  Even  some  of  our  officers 
and  soldiers  seem  to  think  that  nothing  but  evil  can 
come  out  of  these  measures,  and  denounce  President 
Lincoln  for  inaugurating  them.  They  understand 
very  little  about  how  difficult  it  is  to  resist  the  progres 
sive  spirit  of  our  time,  and  would  ignore  the  fact  that 
the  war  has  forced  the  Government  to  adopt  certain 


152  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

measures  which  it  was  not  desirous  of  adopting  at  the 
beginning.  They  like  to  repeat  with  some  emphasis 
that  they  did  not  enter  the  service  of  the  Government 
for  the  purpose  of  abolishing  slavery,  but  for  the  pur 
pose  of  saving  the  Union.  And  this  general  state 
ment  now  being  made  by  many  in  the  army,  I  think 
represents  their  true  sentiments.  Had  they  known  that 
the  war  would  have  so  soon  brought  about  the  aboli 
tion  of  slavery,  a  great  many  men  now  in  the  service 
would  probably  never  have  enlisted.  But  I  think  that 
those  who  take  this  view  of  the  matter,  occupy  a  very 
inconsistent  position.  We  might  ask,  would  they 
keep  a  portion  of  our  army  busy  returning  runaway 
slaves  to  their  rebel  masters?  Or  would  they  have 
large  pastures  or  mess  houses  to  keep  all  the  slaves  in 
that  run  away  from  their  masters  and  come  into  our 
lines?  Or  would  they  carefully  investigate  each  case 
to  ascertain  to  whom  the  man,  woman  or  child  be 
longed,  and  then  put  a  tag  around  the  individual's 
neck  so  that  he  could  be  returned  to  the  proper  owner 
when  the  war  is  over.  To  my  mind  any  other  position 
than  that  taken  by  the  Government  would  not  only  be 
absurd,  but  impractible.  The  rebels  brought  on  the 
war,  and  that  their  leaders  were  too  short  sighted  to 
foresee  the  results  is  now  plain  to  every  one.  Thev 
must  make  the  best  of  their  own  mistake.  They 
gloried  in  being  blind  to  the  probable  future  destiny 
of  slavery.  While  the  war  was  not  at  first  ostensibly 
carried  on  by  the  Government  for  the  purpose  of  abol 
ishing  slavery,  matters  have  now  taken  such  a  turn 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  153 

that  the  freedom  of  the  slaves  has  become  a  public 
necessity.  Though  perhaps  most  of  our  people  will 
temporarily  deplore  the  necessity,  there  are  others,  a 
large  minority  too,  who  will  hail  this  opportunity 
which  the  Government  has,  of  wiping  out  a  national 
crime,  with  delight.  It  is  a  great  victory  for  the  latter 
class, — a  victory  that  many  never  dreamed  of  realizing 
during  their  lives.  This  class  shall  no  longer  be  con 
sidered  a  contemptible  minority  of  fanatics  and  dis 
turbers  of  the  peace,  because  we  have  advocated  that 
all  men  should  have  equal  rights,  to  life,  liberty  and 
the  pursuit  to  happiness.  In  the  future  history  of 
the  Kepublic  those  noble  men  of  this  generation,  who 
have  stood  firm  against  great  odds  in  advocating  the 
abolition  of  slavery,  will  be  regarded  as  among  the 
saviors  of  the  country.  The  taunts,  and  insults,  and 
sacrifices  which  they  have  endured,  have  not  counted 
for  nothing.  The  judicial  murder  of  John  Brown  will 
make  him  a  martyr  to  freedom  to  the  future  genera 
tions  of  this  country;  and  his  name  is  already  woven 
into  a  war  song,  which  is  sung  throughout  all  our 
armies. 

And  now  the  slaves  are  going  to  help  pay  the  price 
of  their  freedom  by  supporting  the  strong  arms  of 
their  deliverers,  instead  of  being  a  burden  to  them. 
How  much  better  this  is  than  if  they  do  nothing,  for 
their  descendants  can  then  say  with  conscious  pride, 
uour  fathers,  by  their  manhood  and  valor,  and  by  their 
blood  and  sacrifices,  contributed  to  our  freedom."  It 
would  be  unnatural  for  the  late  slaves  to  remain  idle 


154:  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

in  this  great  conflict.  Now  is  their  time  to  striKe,  and 
they  will  not  fail  to  do  it.  We  have  already  heard 
that  a  colored  regiment  is  being  organized  in  Kansas 
from  the  negro  refugees  from  Missouri  and  Arkansas. 
If  properly  officered  I  have  no  doubt  that  they  will 
march  to  the  front  with  firm  steps  and  brave  hearts, 
and  meet  the  enemy  like  men  who  are  conscious  that 
they  are  fighting  for  their  liberty  and  their  lives. 

Lieutenant  Maxwell  Phillips,  of  the  Third  Indian 
regiment,  was  wounded  in  a  skimish  with  bushwhack 
ers  on  Pea  Ridge  a  few  days  ago.  Though  a  brother 
of  the  Colonel,  he  has  had  to  share  equally  with  other 
officers  the  dangers  and  hardships  of  the  field.  His 
wound  is  quite  serious,  though  it  is  not  thought  that 
with  careful  attention,  it  will  prove  mortal.  He  has 
been  sent  to  Neosho  in  an  ambulance;  but  will  probably 
soon  be  taken  to  Kansas  to  stay  until  he  recovers.  He 
has  been  an  active  and  efficient  officer  during  the  winter, 
and  this  division  cannot  well  afford  to  lose  his  services. 

Colonel  Judson's  brigade  is  encamped  at  Mt.  Yernony 
about  thirty  miles  west  of  Springfield.  The  cavalry  is 
obliged  to  keep  constantly  moving  in  order  to  find 
sufficient  forage  for  the  animals.  The  troops  in  the 
vicinity  of  Springfield  do  not  seem  to  be  making  any 
preparations  for  an  active  spring  campaign  into  that 
section  of  Arkansas  occupied  by  the  enemy.  I  should 
like  to  hear  of  our  victorious  troops  of  last  winter 
carrying  their  arms  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy, 
instead  of  spending  the  season  in  inactivity  along  the 
border  counties  of  southern  Missouri. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863  155 

From  near  Pineville,  Missouri,  we  marched  to 
Water's  Mills,  about  three  miles  north  of  Ben  ton  - 
ville,  Arkansas.  Nothing  occurred  on  the  inarch 
worth  mentioning,  except  that  the  country  we  pass 
ed  over  was  rough  and  hilly,  as  in  the  vicinity  of  Pine 
ville.  We  could  see  the  pine  forests  on  the  distant 
hills,  but  there  were  none  directly  on  our  road.  Our 
advance  guard  saw  several  flocks  of  wild  turkeys. 
There  are  great  numbers  of  them  in  a  part  of  the 
region  that  we  passed  over,  for  it  is  very  thinly  settled 
with  a  house  here  and  there,  miles  apart.  And  from 
what  I  saw  I  think  that  the  acorn-bearing  oaks  must 
have  produced  immense  quantities  of  acorns  last  year, 
thus  furnishing  abundant  food  for  the  wild  turkeys  and 
pigeons  of  this  section.  We  encamped  at  Water's  Mills 
only  a  few  days,  and  moved  to  Bentonville  on  the  27th 
of  February.  We  shall  probably  stay  here  several 
weeks.  Bentonville  is  a  small  town,  and  perhaps  never 
contained  a  population  of  more  than  three  or  four  hun 
dred.  For  agricultural  purposes  this  county  is  even 
poorer  than  McDonald  county,  Missouri.  Consider 
able  tobacco,  however,  was  raised  on  the  small  culti 
vated  tracts  before  the  war.  The  hills  around  here  are 
not  quite  so  rugged  as  along  Elk  river  and  Sugar 
Creek  some  twenty  miles  northeast  of  us. 

Yesterday  morning,  March  1st,  Colonel  Phillips  sent 
a  scout  in  the  direction  of  White  river,  almost  east  of 
this  place,  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  a  party  of 
rebels  reported  to  have  been  seen  in  that  vicinity  a 
few  days  ago;  but  it  returned  about  midnight  without 


156  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

having  found  them.  Our  cavalry  will  probably  be  kept 
busy  for  awhile  in  endeavoring  to  free  this  section  from 
bushwhackers,  for  they  have  had  almost  full  sway  since 
we  passed  through  here  last  October,  just  before  the 
battle  of  Old  Fort  Wayne.  When  we  came  here,  only 
three  days  ago,  the  dust  raised  by  their  horses'  heels 
had  scarcely  settled.  As  a  general  thing  the  bush 
whackers  in  this  section  are  mounted  upon  fine  ani 
mals,  and  if  they  get  the  start  of  us  beyond  the  range 
of  our  Sharp's  carbines,  we  are  rarely  able  to  over  take 
them.  In  the  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry 
there  are  some  good  horses,  and  in  a  chase  a  trooper 
may  now  and  then  be  able  to  dash  ahead  of  his  com 
rades  and  bring  down  his  enemy  by  a  well  directed 
shot  from  his  carbine  or  army  revolver.  But  the 
animals  upon  which  the  Indians  are  mounted  are 
mostly  ponies,  and  of  course  not  conspicuous  for  fleet- 
ness  as  compared  with  some  of  our  more  carefully  bred 
horses.  For  many  years  before  the  war  the  horse  fan 
ciers  of  Missouri  delighted  to  trace  the  genealogies 
of  their  horses  back  to  the  celebrated  fine  stock  of 
Kentucky.  The  Indian  ponies,  however,  are  very 
hardy,  and  stand  the  service  remarkably  well.  An 
Indian  looks  awkward  seated  upon  one  of  our  fine 
cavalry  horses,  so  thoroughly  have  Indians  and  ponies 
become  associated  in  our  minds  together. 

A  portion  of  the  first  Arkansas  cavalry  stationed  at 
Fayetteville,  twenty-five  miles  south  of  this  place, 
brought  in  yesterday  about  thirty  rebel  prisoners, 
recently  captured  in  the  direction  of  Yan  Buren. 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  157 

They  are  to  be  sent  to  Springneld,  Missouri,  in  a  few 
days,  as  we  have  no  facilities  for  holding  prisoners  of 
war  in  safety.  As  all  the  available  men  of  this  division 
are  required  for  active  service  in  the  Held,  none  of  them 
can  well  be  spared  for  guarding  prisoners,  even  tem 
porarily.  The  military  prisons  north  are  the  proper 
places  for  such  of  the  enemy  as  we  capture,  instead 
of  marching  them  from  station  to  station  with  us. 

The  turning  over  of  these  prisoners  to  Colonel 
Phillips  by  the  loyal  Arkansas  troops  is  noted  with 
much  satisfaction,  for  I  remarked  several  months  ago 
that  there  were  enough  Union  men  in  northwestern 
Arkansas,  if  organized  into  regiments  and  battalions, 
to  contribute  largely  in  holding  this  section.  The 
First  regiment  of  Arkansas  cavalry,  commanded  by 
Colonel  M.  La  Eue  Harrison,  has  now  nearly  completed 
its  organization,  and  most  of  the  men  have  received 
their  arms,  bright  new  uniforms  and  equipments.  It 
is  reported  that  some  of  the  men  were  conscripts  in  the 
rebel  army,  and  no  doubt  met  us  on  the  field  at  Prairie 
Grove.  But  that  they  have  voluntarily  come  in  and 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  is  all  the  evidence  of  loy 
alty  that  we  require.  Since  they  have  thrown  off  their 
butter-nut  clothing  and  put  on  the  Federal  blue  uniform 
they  look  much  improved  in  personal  appearance,  and 
no  doubt  will  make  good  soldiers,  and  if  they  hold 
Fayetteville,  their  valor  will  probably  be  tested  before 
the  summer  shall  have  ended 

It  is  now  a  settled  fact  that  we  shall  move  into  the 
Cherokee  Nation  in  a  few  weeks,  and  then  these  Ar- 


158  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

kansas  troops  at  Fayetteville  will  be  much  isolated, 
unless,  however,  some  of  the  troops  about  Springfield 
shall  move  southwest  in  this  direction.  It  is  the  in 
tention  to  immediately  commence  the  construction  of 
some  sort  of  fortifications  at  Fayetteville.  If  this  in 
tention  is  carried  into  effect  it  will  enable  the  troops 
there  to  temporarily  repel  any  force  of  the  enemy 
likely  to  be  brought  against  them.  But  the  works  about 
to  be  constructed  would  not  enable  Colonel  Harrison  to 
stand  a  siege  of  many  days,  unless  he  is  better  provis 
ioned  and  supplied  with  water  than  is  probable. 

Last  night  (2d),  about  half  past  nine  o'clock,  an  un 
usually  bright  meteor  shot  across  the  sky  from  the 
northeast  to  the  southwest.  It  was  so  bright  that  it 
seemed  to  almost  cast  a  shadow,  and  to  illuminate  our 
camp.  It  left  a  track  for  quite  a  distance  through  the 
atmosphere,  which  must  have  lasted  for  several 
seconds.  Several  soldiers  a  few  yards  distant,  who  had 
not  yet  retired,  but  who  were  standing  about  their 
camp  fire,  talking  over  their  adventures  and  fighting 
some  of  their  battles  over,  also  saw  it.  It  changed 
their  conversation  and  the  current  of  their  thoughts. 
I  caught  some  of  their  remarks  in  regard  to  it.  They 
thought  it  a  strange  phenomenon,  as  it  was  so  much 
brighter  than  ordinary  meteors,  and  wondered  if  it 
had  any  significance  in  relation  to  our  future  move 
ments.  One  of  the  party  was  able  to  recall  to  his 
mind  that  just  before  some  important  event  in  his  life, 
a  great  storm  and  extraordinary  thunder  and  lightning 
had  occurred,  or  the  sky  had  presented  a  peculiar  and 


ON  THE  BOKDER.-1863.  159 

unusual  appearance.  There  are  many  people  yet  who 
believe  that  natural  phenomena  of  this  kind  have 
special  reference  to  human  affairs,  to  such  an  extent 
are  their  minds  unemancipated  from  the  gross  and  ir 
rational  errors  of  less  enlightened  times.  Many  will 
remember  that  those  who  are  always  looking  for  signs 
of  some  extraordinary  future  event,  referred,  almost 
with  delight,  to  the  great  comet  of  1858,  as  foreboding 
war.  It  was  once  thought  by  our  ancestors,  and  is 
still  thought  by  some  uncivilized  races,  that  eclipses  of 
the  sun  and  moon  had  some  connection  with  the  affairs 
of  men ;  but  we  have  got  past  that,  and  regard  the 
notion  as  absurd.  It  is  likewise  absurd  to  suppose 
that  a  comet  in  the  heavens,  or  a  meteor  passing 
through  our  atmosphere,  has  any  connection  with 
human  affairs.  To  all  inquiring  minds,  extraordinary 
natural  phenomena  have  always  been  a  stimulus  to  in 
vestigation.  The  beauties  of  the  heavens  on  a  clear 
night  are  fascinating  studies  not  only  for  the  astrono 
mer,  but  also  for  many  who  have  had  very  little  scien 
tific  training.  In  the  southern  heavens,  during  the 
earlier  part  of  the  night,  the  Constellation  Orion  and 
the  Great  Dog  (Canis  Major)  are  conspicuous  objects 
of  interest.  Sirius,  in  the  latter  Constellation,  is  the 
brightest  star  in  the  heavens,  and  has  guided  the 
actions  of  men  in  war  and  in  peace,  long  before  the 
dawn  of  written  history.  When  alone  admiring  those 
far  off  worlds  of  the  universe,  to  us  mere  scintillating 
points — what  strange  thoughts  come  rushing  through 
the  mind.  If  they  are  suns,  as  we  are  taught,  like  our 


160  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

sun,  have  they  planets  revolving  around  them  like  the 
planets  that  revolve  around  our  sun?  Arid  if  they 
thus  have  their  systems,  of  planets  and  satellites  re 
volving  around  them,  are  any  of  those  planets  inhabit 
ed  by  beings  something  like  those  on  this  earth?  But 
the  nightly  procession  of  the  Constellations  across  the 
heavens  will  continue  eternally,  and  we  shall  get  no 
answer  to  our  questions. 

On  the  3rd  the  Indian  Delegation  left  for  "Washing 
ton  on  business  pertaining  to  their  own  interests. 
While  they  have  no  representative  in  Congress,  the 
Cherokees,  Creeks,  &c.,  deem  it  expedient  to  keep  at 
the  Capitol  of  our  Government  during  the  Sessions  of 
Congress,  representatives  to  confer  with  the  authori 
ties,  and  to  prepare  such  measures  as  it  may  be 
thought  desirable  to  bring  before  Congress.  Not  a 
year  passes  that  Congress  is  not  called  upon  to  pass 
certain  laws  in  regard  to  the  affairs  of  most  of  the 
Indian  tribes.  Their  forms  of  government  are  simple, 
but  as  we  have  to  deal  with  each  separate  tribe  as  an 
independent  nation,  the  department  of  Indian  Affairs 
is  getting  to  be  quite  complicated.  The  Government 
must  listen  to  the  complaint  of  each  tribe,  with  a 
patient  ear,  investigate  the  alleged  cause  of  complaint 
in  each  case,  and  as  far  as  possible,  under  treaty  stipu 
lations  remove  every  cause  of  irritation. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Colonel  Phillips  invited  to  address  a  Mass  Meeting  of  the  Union 
Citizens  of  Northwestern  Arkansas,  at^Fayetteville — The  great 
difficulty  in  getting  Forage — A  Scouting  Party  returns  from 
Van  Buren — The  Indian  Division  encamped  on  the  edge  of  the 
Battle  Field  of  Pea  Ridge  —An  account  of  the  Battle  from  data 
collected  on  the  Field  and  from  Eye  Witnesses— Rebel  raid 
on  Neosho  and  Capture  of  Negroes — A  Deserter  from  the 
Enemy  gives  Position  and  strength  of  their  forces — The  Ene 
my's  wounded  from  Prairie  Grove  at  Cane  Hill  still — Great 
Mortality  among  them—  Skirmish  with  Bush  whackers — Arri 
val  of  Forage  Trains  from  White  River — Horses  eat  each 
others  Manes  and  Tails  off— The  Small -pox  among  the  Indi 
ans — Very  few  of  them  Vaccinated  —Only  a  few  cases  among 
the  White  Soldiers— Remarks  on  the  Disease — The  Govern 
ment  should  stock  with  Animals  to  furnish  Vaccine  Virus  for 
the  Army. 

ON  the  morning  of  March  4th,  Colonel  Phillips, 
with  an  escort  of  one  hundred  men,  set  out  for  Fay- 
etteville.  The  Union  citizens  of  Washington  county, 
have  called  a  mass  meeting  to  be  held  at  that  place, 
and  as  that  county  is  in  his  district,  have  invited  him 
to  be  present,  and  to  address  them  on  current  issues, 
and  concerning  their  future  prospects.  Of  course  I 
have  no  means  of  knowing  what  advice  he  will  give 
them,  but  it  is  easy  to  imagine  that  he  will  advise 
11 


162  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

tnem  to  enroll  every  able-bodied  loyal  man  in  defence 
of  their  homes,  to  be  vigilant  and  take  every  precau 
tion  against  surprise  by  the  enemy,  to  see  to  it  that 
the  troops  shall  not  display  a  spirit  of  lawlessness  in 
any  section  in  which  they  may  be  operating,  and  lastly 
that  the  citizens  who  are  in  sympathy  with  the  Gov 
ernment  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  co-operate  with  the 
troops.  While  I  do  not  know  -anything  about  the 
Colonel  as  a  publia  speaker,  I  do  know  that  he  is  able 
to  express  his  thoughts  with  ease  and  elegance  upon 
paper,  for  he  was  for  a  number  of  years,  before  the 
war,  a  staff  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune 
in  Kansas,  and  wrote  the  first  History  of  Kansas  under 
the  territorial  -regime.  I  do  not  know  that  we  have  a 
more  forcible  writer  in  the  State,  and  if  he  keeps  his 
official  garments  clean,  and  gets  through  the  war  alive, 
and  returns  to  Kansas,  I  cannot  see  why  he  should  not 
be  one  of  our  leading  men,  and  why  the  people  should 
not  feel  proud  of  honoring  him  with  the  highest  posi 
tion  within  their  gift.  Though  a  man's  present  con 
duct  and  character  may  be  such  as  to  win  our  admi 
ration,  and  justify  us  in  speaking  of  his  prospective 
bright  future;  yet  in  these  times,  when  there  is  so  much 
tripping  among  great  men,  it  is  hardly  safe  to  draw  such 
a  future  picture  of  a  man  as  his  present  career  would 
seem  to  warrant.  He  may  or  he  may  not  follow  our 
imaginary  paths,  and  obstacles  may  be  thrown  in  his 
way  which  no  one  can  foresee.  Though  it  is  unques 
tionably  the  duty  of  every  officer  and  soldier  in  our 
armies,  to  work  earnestly  and  faithfully,  until  we  shall 


ON  THE  BORDER—  1863. 


compel  the  last  man  of  the  enemy  to  lay  down  his 
arms,  and  return  to  his  allegiance  to  the  Government, 
yet  we  know  that  already,  during  the  progress  of  the 
war,  there  have  been  instances  in  which  officers  through 
jealousy,  and  to  break  down  tlie  reputations  of  their 
colleagues,  have  failed.  to  co-operate  with  them,  thus 
causing  a  useless  and  criminal  destruction  of  the  lives 
of  our  troops,  and  a  prolonging  of  the  contest.  So  it 
may  be  that  obstacles  will  be  interposed  to  prevent  the 
deserved  promotion  of  Colonel  Phillips. 

It  is  getting  to  be  more  difficult  every  day  to  find 
sufficient  forage  for  our  animals.  They  are  really  be 
ginning  to  feel  the  pinch  of  hunger,  and  I  fear  will  be 
much  reduced  in  condition  before  spring  opens,  so 
that  they  can  live  by  grazing.  Our  forage  trains  are 
sent  almost  two  days  march  from  camp,  and  then  fre 
quently  return  with  most  of  the  wagons  empty  or 
only  partly  filled  with  wheat  straw.  This,  under  ordi 
nary  circumstances,  we  use  for  bedding  for  our  animals, 
but  now  we  are  obliged  to  use  it  largely  as  a  substi 
tute  for  hay  and  fodder.  We  cannot  understand  why 
we  are  not  able  to  get  all  the  corn  and  oats  from  Kan 
sas  that  may  be  required  for  the  command,  for  we  hear 
that  great  quantities  have  been  contracted  for  and  are 
stored  at  Fort  Scott.  If  our  animals  are  permitted  to 
run  down  in  flesh  and  to  become  weak,  we  shall  be  ob 
liged  to  content  ourselves  with  less  aggressiveness.  It 
is  possible,  however,  that  before  we  shall  have  reached 
our  usual  radius  of  fifteen  to  twenty  miles,  some  neigh 
borhood  will  be  found  that  can  furnish  us  corn,  oats, 
hay  and  straw  for  several  weeks. 


164:  MEMOIRS   OF  THE  REBELLION 

A  scouting  party  from  this  division  lias  just  returned 
from  Yan  Buren  via  Fayette\ille,  having  been  absenf 
about  a  week.  While  they  were  in  the  vicinity  of 
Van  Buren,  Captain  Fred  Crafts,  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  detachment,  sent  a  spy  into  Fort  Smith, 
who  returned  and  reported  that  the  enemy  had  only 
about  three  hundred  men  stationed  there.  It  is  there 
fore  evident  that  we  have  no  organized  enemy  of  much 
consequence  directly  in  our  front  for  at  least  one  hundred 
miles  south  of  us.  Since  our  expedition  to  Yan  Buren 
last  December,  the  rebel  authorities  have  not  ventured 
to  keep  a  regular  station  north  of  the  Arkansas  river. 
After  an  army  becomes  so  demoralized  as  were  General 
Hlndman's  forces  last  winter,  it  takes  some  time  to 
reorganize  it  for  effective  operations.  Unless  the 
enemy  receives  reinforcements  from  east  of  the  Mis 
sissippi,  which  is  not  at  all  likely  at  present,  I  think 
it  will  be  impossible  for  him  to  organize  another  such 
an  army  as  that  which  he  had  at  Prairie  Grove.  It 
looks  now  as  if  the  enemy  would  require  all  his  avail 
able  forces  in  the  west  for  the  defense  of  Yicksburg, 
which  is  being  invested  by  our  forces  under  General 
Grant.  It  would  probably  be  difficult  for  the  enemy 
there  to  either  receive  reinforcements  from  the  west 
or  to  send  out  troops  to  the  west,  so  tight  are  our  lines 
being  drawn  around  them. 

One  year  ago  to  day,  the  6th,  the  battle  known  as 
" Pea  Ridge"  commenced  on  this  very  ground.  On 
the  6th  the  enemy,  under  General  Yan  Dorn,  attacked 
General  Sigel's  division  at  this  place,  and  he  retreated, 


ON  THE  BORDER—  1863. 


contesting  every  inch   of  ground,  until   he   formed  a 
junction  with  the  other  divisions  of  our  army  under 
the   command  of  General  S.  E.  Curtis,  twelve  miles 
northeast  of  here,  between  Pea  JRidge  and  Cross  Hol 
lows.     I  have  heard   it  said  that  General  Yan  Dorn 
made  the  remark,  that  had  his  forces   attacked  Gen- 
eral  Sigel  twenty  minutes  sooner,  he  would  have  cap 
tured  the  entire  division  of  five  or  six  thousand  men. 
Twenty  minutes  more  would  probably  have  enabled 
General  Yan  Dorn  to  have  thrown  a  strong   force  be 
tween  Generals  Curtis  and  Sigel,  and  to  have   fought 
them  separately.     A  short  distance  east  of  this  place, 
on  the  line  of  retreat,  in  looking  over  the  late  scene  of 
operations,  I  noticed  a  number  of  trees  still  bearing 
marks   of  shot  and   shell   and  small  arms.     General 
Curtis'  forces  not  only  drove  Sterling  Price's  army 
out   of  Missouri  into  Arkansas,  attacking  it  first  at 
Springfield  and  then  at  Sugar  Creek,  but  pursued  them 
to  Fayetteville,  twenty  miles  south  of  here.  '  Some 
sixteen  miles  south  of  Fayetteville  General  Price  met 
the  combined  forces  of  Generals  McCulloch,  Mclntosh 
and  Pike.     General  Yan  Dorn,  who  had  recently  been 
appointed  by  the  Confederate  authorities  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  Department,  had  just 
arrived  when  the  rebel  forces  formed  a  junction.     He 
at  once  assumed  command  of  the  combined  forces, 
numbering  about  thirty-five  thousand  men,  and  some 
sixty  pieces  of  light  artillery,  and  marched  rapidly  to 
attack  General  Curtis.     Our  cavalry  and  some  light 
artillerv  that  were  in  advance,  and  had  occupied  Fay- 


166  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

etteville,  fell  back  on  our  infantry  as  the  enemy  ad 
vanced  in  force.  All  our  troops,  except  General  Sigel's 
division,  were  on  the  main  road  leading  from  Spring 
field  to  Fayetteville.  His  division  was  on  the  road 
leading  from  Bentonville  to  Fayetteville,  which,  as  al 
ready  stated,  at  this  point  is  about  twelve  miles  west 
of  the  Springfield  and  Fayetteville  road.  His  position 
was  therefore  a  critical  one,  and  had  General  Yan  Dora 
succeeding  in  cutting  him  off  from  the  main  army 
under  General  Curtis,  he  might  have  been  easily  beat 
en,  and  his  division  destroyed  or  compelled  to  sur 
render.  I  have  been  informed  by  parties  who  were 
with  General  Sigel  on  his  march  from  this  place,  that 
he  was  sometimes  almost  surrounded  by  the  enemy; 
that  during  four  or  five  hours,  and  until  he  received 
re-inforcements  from  General  Curtis,  he  was  obliged 
to  fight  the  enemy  in  his  front,  on  his  flanks  and  in  his 
rear.  But  he  continued  his  march,  and  was  able  to 
form  a  junction  late  in  the  afternoon  with  General 
Jeff.  C.  Davis'  division,  a.bout  two  miles  wrest  of  the 
Springfield  road  at  the  west  end  of  Pea  Ridge.  Our 
forces,  however,  were  still  divided  into  two  separate 
armies,  but  in  supporting  distance  of  each  other. 
During  the  night  of  the  6th,  General  Yan  Dorn  moved 
his  entire  army  around  to  the  west  of  ours,  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  7th  had  his  line  of  battle  formed 
north  of  us  in  our  rear,  thus  cutting  off  any  hope  of  re 
treat.  General  Curtis  was  therefore  obliged  to  make 
a  change  of  front;  that  is,  his  line  of  battle  must  now 
front  north  instead  of  south.  General  Sterling  Price's 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  167 

forces  occupied  the  Springfield  road  directly  north  of 
General  Curtis'  camp,  and  the  divisions  of  the  enemy 
under  Generals  McCulloch  and  Mclntosh  held  posi 
tions  directly  north  of  General  Sigel,  some  three  miles 
west  of  Price.  On  the  7th  the  battle  opened  on  our 
right,  and  raged  furiously  during  the  entire  day  with 
varying  results.  When  night  came  our  right  wing 
had  been  driven  back  nearly  a  mile,  but  our  left  wing, 
under  Generals  Sigel  and  Davis,  had  defeated  the  right 
wing  of  the  enemy,  killing  Generals  McCulloch  and 
Mclntosh.  During  the  night  of  the  7th  the  enemy's 
forces  formed  a  junction  on  the  ground  held  by  his  left 
wing,  which  was  a  strong  position. 

By  moving  around  and  taking  up  positions  north  of 
our  forces,  it  was  evident  that  the  rebel  generals  felt 
sure  of  being  able  to  destroy  our  army  or  compel  it  to 
surrender.  Therefore  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  at 
sunrise,  the  battle  was  resumed  with  even  greater 
fierceness.  But  General  Curtis  and  his  division  com 
manders  had  not  been  idle  during  the  night  in  arrang 
ing  their  troops  and  batteries  for  the  impending  strug 
gle.  Our  left  wing,  under  General  Sigel,  was  first 
furiously  assaulted  by  the  right  wing  of  the  enemy, 
bat  maintained  its  position  with  great  firmness.  After 
several  hours  hard  fighting  General  Sigel  ordered  into 
position  about  thirty  pieces  of  artillery,  which,  soon 
getting  the  range  of  the  enemy's  guns,  silenced  bat 
tery  after  battery.  Our  infantry  then,  under  cover 
of  our  batteries,  crept  forward,  and  when  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  enemy's  lines  the  order  was  given 


168  MEMOIKS  OF  THE  KEBELLION 

to  charge  them.  The  troops  that  made  this  gallant 
charge  were  composed  of  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Mis 
souri  regiments.  The  enemy's  right  wing  was  now 
pressed  back  in  a  good  deal  of  confusion.  Soon  after 
this  fierce  contest  our  right  wing  forced  back  with 
great  stubborness  the  left  wing  of  the  enemy.  His 
lines  now  formed  a  kind  of  crescent, with  the  convex  part 
of  it  turned  toward  us,  and  the  horns  directed  from  us, 
and  our  right  and  left  wings  cross-fired  him  with 
terrible  effect.  General  Curtis,  quickly  seizing  the 
situation,  now  ordered  the  charge  all  along  our  lines, 
and  in  a  short  time  the  enemy  were  completely  rout 
ed  at  every  point,  and  fled  in  great  disorder  in  every 
direction,  leaving  their  dead  upon  the  field. 

The  federal  losses  in  killed  and  wounded  during 
the  three  days  was  upwards  of  twelve  hundred  men 
and  officers.  We  did  not  lose  any  general  officers, 
while  the  enemy  had  two  general  officers  killed, — 
Brigadier  Generals  McCulloch  and  Mclntosh.  The 
enemy's  losses  of  enlisted  men,  killed  and  wounded, 
also  exceeded  ours,  besides  General  Curtis  captured 
nearly  a  thousand  prisoners. 

That  this  sketch  might  be  as  accurate  as  possible,  I 
spent  three  days  last  October,  when  we  were  encamped 
on  the  battle-field  of  Pea  Ridge,  in  ascertaining  the 
positions  of  different  divisions  of  the  two  armies.  A 
gentleman  who  was  with  General  Curtis  during  the 
three  day's  struggle  accompanied  us  over  the  field,  and 
was  able  to  point  out  nearly  all  the  places  of  interest, 
and  I  made  memoranda  of  them ;  besides,  I  have  re- 


ON  THE  BORDBK-1863  169 

cently  gone  over  a  part  of  the  field.  It  was  easy,  to 
judge  where  the  battle  had  been  fiercest  by  the  num 
ber  of  newly-made  graves.  At  points  where  consider 
able  numbers  of  our  soldiers  were  killed,  long  trenches 
were  dug  and  the  men  placed  in  them  side  by  side, 
and  a  head-board  placed  over  each  man,  giving  his 
name,  regiment,  or  battery.  The  places  pointed  out  to 
us  as  the  graves  of  the  rebel  dead,  indicated  that  they 
had  been  buried  in  heaps ;  and  we  were  told  by  our 
guide  that  such  was  the  fact.  I  did  not  see  a  single 
head-board  placed  over  any  of  their  graves,  although 
General  Curtis  gave  General  Van  Dorn  permission  to 
bury  his  dead ;  and  rebel-burying  parties  were  on  the 
field  several  days  under  a  flag  of  truce. 

About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  Elk  Horn  tavern, 
on  the  brow  of  a  hill  a  few  yards  west  of  the  Springfield 
and  Fayetteville  road,  I  counted  thirty-three  graves 
close  together,  the  head-boards  showing  that  the  men 
who  fell  on  that  hallowed  ground  belonged  to  the  Ninth 
Iowa  infantry.  Upwards  of  two  miles  southwest 
of  Elk  Horn  tavern,  where  the  battle  also  raged  with 
great  fury,  the  head-boards  showed  that  the  men  who 
had  fallen  in  this  locality  belonged  to  the  Second, 
Twelfth  and  Twenty-fourth  regiments  Missouri  in 
fantry,  and  Eighth  and  Twenty-second  regiments  In 
diana  infantry,  and  Thirty- seventh  regiment  Illinois 
infantry.  At  other  places  on  the  field  the  federal 
dead  had  been  buried  in  smaller  groups  than  at  the 
points  mentioned  above.  "When  we  were  encamped 
on  the  battle-field  in  October,  the  traces  of  this  great 


170  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

battle  still  most  visible  were  around  Elk  Horn  tavern. 
The  trees  in  the  orchard  and  the  small  undergrowth  in 
the  woods  near  bj  were  much  scarred  and  cut  to  pieces 
by  small  arms  and  by  grape  and  canister  of  the  two 
armies.  About  half  a  mile  south  of  Elk  Horn,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  high  road,  and  just  north  of  the  large 
field  in  which  the  federal  trains  were  parked,  the 
timber,  covering  a  space  of  perhaps  half  a  mile  square, 
was  dreadfully  torn  to  pieces  by  shot  and  shell.  I  saw 
trees,  probably  eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  torn  and 
split  as  if  they  had  been  struck  by  lightning.  The 
storm  from  the  federal  batteries  that  burst  over  this 
part  of  the  field  must  have  been  terrific.  It  was 
mostly  the  work  of  our  batteries  on  the  7th,  after  the 
repulse  of  General  Curtis'  right  wing  around  Elk  Horn. 
The  federal  forces  occupying  the  large  field  above 
mentioned,  could  easily  bring  their  artillery  into  posi 
tion  to  play  upon  the  heavy-timbered  woods. 

I  have  now  conducted  the  reader  over  the  battle-field 
of  Pea  Ridge,  commencing  at  this  place,  pointed  out 
tojhim  the  position  of  our  forces,  and  the  points  where 
our  brave  men  fell  in  greatest  numbers.  I  hope  that 
before  many  years  shall  have  elapsed  after  the  war  is 
ended,  the  country,  for  whom  these  noble  men  offered 
up  their  lives,  will  erect  at  least  two  monuments  upon 
the  ground  where  they 'fell,  to  commemorate  their 
heroic  deeds;  and  that  this  ground  shall  be  hallowed 
to  the  generations  who  shall  succeed  us.  I  could  not 
pass  this  first  anniversary  upon  this  field  without  add 
ing  a  word  to  the  memory  of  the  two  hundred  patriot 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  171 

soldiers  who  rest  in  their  graves  only  a  few  miles  from 
our  camp.*  This  night  no  doubt  the  thoughts  of  hun 
dreds  of  those  who  lost  husbands,  fathers,  brothers  or 

*Tke  Federal  army  that  fought  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  was  di 
vided  by  G-eneral  Curtis  into  four  divisions,  as  follows : 

The  First  Divison,  commanded  by  Colonel  P.  J.  Osterhaus, 
Twelfth  Missouri  infantry,  was  composed  of  the  following  organ 
izations  :  Illinois— Twenty-fifth,  Thirty-sixth,  Thirty-ninth  and 
Forty-fourth  regiments  of  infantry.  Missouri — Third,  Twelfth  and 
Seventeenth  regiments  infantry,  two  battalions  Benton  Hussars 
and  two  batteries,  A  and  B,  six  guns  each,  Second  regiment  light 
artillery. 

Second  Division, commanded  by  Brigadier  General  A.  Asboth, 
consisted  of  the  following  organizations :  Missouri — Second  and 
Fifteenth  regiments  infantry,  and  Fourth  and  Fifth  regiments  of 
cavalry,  and  flying  battery,  six  guns,  Ohio  Second  battery  light 
artillery. 

Third  Division,  commanded  by  General  Jeff.  C.  Davis,  consist 
ed  of  the  following  organizations :  Indiana— Eighth,  Eighteenth 
and  twenty-second  regiments  infantry ;  Illinois-Thirty-Seventh  and 
fifty. ninth  regiments  infantry ;  Missouri— First  and  Ninth  regi 
ments  cavalry,  and  Colonel  Phelps'  regiment  of  infantry,  and 
two  batteries,  one  of  four  guns  and  another  of  six  guns, 

Fourth  Division,  commanded  by  Colonel  Eugene  Carr,  Third 
Illinois  cavalry,  was  composed  of  the  following  organizations : 
Iowa — Fourth  and  Ninth  regiments  infantry,  and  Third  cavalry, 
and  first  and  third  batteries  Light  artillery;  Illinois— Thirty-fifth- 
regiment  infantry  and  Third  cavalry ;  Missouri— Twenty-fifth  regi 
ment  infantry  and  Bowen's  battalion  cavalry. 

General  Sigel  commanded  the  First  and  Second  Divisions, 
which  formed  our  left  wing,  General  Davis  our  centre,  and 
Colonel  Carr  our  right  wing. 

The  Federal  losses  were  as  follows :  First  division  144,  Second 
division  119,  Third  division  329,  and  Fourth  division  701,  making 
a  total  of  1,351  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  total  killed  in 
the  four  divisions  was  203,  according  to  official  reports. 


172  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

sons  at  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  turn  to  this  field,  and 
their  minds  are  filled  with  unspeakable  grief  on 
account  of  the  cutting  short  of  the  lives  of  those 
whom  they  loved  so  dearly.  Not  only  will  they  call 
to  mind  this  first  anniversary  of  this  great  battle,  but 
they  will  likely  call  to  mind  each  succeeding  anni 
versary  of  it  while  their  affections  last,  for  the  dead 
heroes  buried  upon  this  field.  Nor  is  this  all.  Hun 
dreds  of  our  brave  soldiers  who  were  wounded  in  this 
battle,  still  bear  scars  and  unhealed  wounds  that  will 
remind  them  probably  of  the  anniversary  of  the 
bloody  field  of  Pea  Ridge  as  long  as  they  live.  The 
ides  of  March  of  each  succeeding  year  will  bring 
vividly  before  their  minds  the  bloody  scenes  they  have 
passed  through  on  this  field.  They  will  recall  with 
great  vividness  the  sufferings  from  cold  and  fatigue, 
and  the  hopes  and  fears  of  those  three  eventful  days. 
"When  they  recall  the  charges  in  which  comrades  fell 
by  their  sides,  and  of  others  who  were  left  on  the  field 
mortally  wounded  and  in  the  agonies  of  death,  shadows 
of  sadness  will  pass  over  their  countenances.  Though 
these  brave-hearted  men  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties 
could  plunge  the  cold  steel  into  the  enemy,  yet  their 
hearts  are  full  of  tenderness  and  affection;  and  the 
sufferings  of  a  comrade  from  having  nobly  performed 
his  duty,  often  causes  the  warm  tear  to  roll  down  the 
cheeks  of  the  stern  soldier. 

Information  was  received  from  Neosho  this  morning 
(9th)  that  a  force  of  rebels  under  Livingston  made  a  raid 
on  that  place  a  few  nights  ago  and  captured  about  twenty 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  173 

negroes  and  a  number  of  horses  and  mules.  There  was 
not  much  of  a  skirmish,  for  the  rebel  leader  did  not 
venture  near  where  our  troops  were  quartered,  and 
they  did  not  attack  him  because  he  had  left  before 
they  had  fairly  got  into  position  It  seems  that 
guards  were  not  posted  upon  all  the  roads  leading 
into  town;  or  if  they  were,  that  they  got  captured,  or 
reached  the  post  but  a  few  moments  ahead  of  the 
enemy.  A  couple  of  soldiers  posted  on  a  road  several 
miles  out,  by  the  time  they  had  halted  and  ascertained 
whether  the  approaching  force  was  friend  or  foe,  would, 
if  the  latter,  have  few  chances  of  escape,  if  it  were  at 
night.  If  Livingston's  men  are  mounted  upon  as 
good  horses  as  they  are  reported  to  be,  they  could 
move  more  rapidly  than  an  Indian  guard  mounted  on 
a  pony.  In  a  few  weeks  the  Indian  soldiers  and  all  the 
refugee  Indian  families  will  leave  Neosho  and  join  us 
in  the  Nation,  and  then  it  is  the  intention  to  have  sta 
tioned  there  several  companies  of  the  Missouri  State 
Militia,  who  generally  have  good  horses,  and  will 
probably  be  able  at  least  to  hold  their  own  with  the 
guerrillas  of  southwest  Missouri. 

A  deserter  came  into  our  lines  to-day  from  Colonel 
Carroll's  Arkansas  regiment,  which  is  now  stationed 
below  Yan  Buren  on  the  Arkansas  river.  He  does 
not  think  that  the  enemy  in  that  section  contemplates 
an  immediate  movement  northward,  as  they  have  not 
a  force  sufficiently  strong  to  meet  our  troops  in  the 
open  field.  Nearly  all  the  rebel  troops  in  Arkansas, 
he  thinks,  are  in  the  vicinity  of  Little  Bock,  at  any 


174  MEMOLRS   OP  THE   EEBELLIO 

rate,  that  there  is  not  a  large  force  in  the  western  part 
of  the  State.  We  have  no  reasonxto  doubt  this  latter 
part  of  his  statement,  for  our  reconnoitering  parties 
are  ever  now  and  then  returning  from  the  vicinity  of 
Yan  Buren,  and  in  each  instance  report  no  enemy  in 
force.  Captain  John  Rogers,  of  the  battalion  Sixth 
Kansas  cavalry,  with  a  detachment  of  two  hundred 
men,  returned  yesterday  evening  (13th)  from  beyond 
Cane  Hill,  in  the  Boston  Mountains,  and  reports  hav 
ing  met  with  no  signs  of  the  enemy.  He  saw,  how 
ever,  at  Cane  Hill  a  large  number  of  the  rebel  wound 
ed  that  were  taken  to  that  place  last  December  from 
the  battle-field  of  Prairie  Grove.  We  have  heard  that 
a  large  percentage  of  the  rebel  wounded — probably 
nearly  as  many  as  General  Hindman  left  on  the  field 
— have  died  in  the  hospitals  there  during  the  past 
winter.  It  may  be  that  the  mortality  is  not  unusually 
high  for  the  number  wounded.  If  they  have  been 
furnished  with  ample,  medical  supplies  and  attention, 
and  sufficient  fuel,  covering  and  clothing,  one  would 
naturally  think  that  the  winter  would  be  more  favor 
able  for  the  Healing  of  gunshot  wounds  than  the 
warm  weather  of  summer.  It  has  now  been  upwards 
of  three  months  since  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  and 
it  is  a  little  surprising  that  the  rebel  authorities  should 
not  have  removed  all  their  wounded  to  Fort  Smith  or 
to  some  point  within  their  lines,  by  this  time 

A  detachment  of  about  twenty-five  men  from  this 
division  had  a  fight  yesterday,  some  fifteen  miles  from 
camp,  with  a  party  of  bushwhackers,  and  killed  six  of 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  175 

them.  Two  of  our  soldiers  were  wounded.  This  was 
the  liveliest  skirmish  our  foraging  parties  have  had 
for  several  weeks. 

Two  companies  of  the  Third  Indian  regiment  came 
in  this  evening  from  Maysville,  where  they  have  been 
stationed  for  some  time.  That  place  is  now  aban 
doned,  and  the  small  fort  that  was  constructed  there 
during  the  winter,  as  a  temporary  defence,  has  been 
destroyed.  As  we  exhausted  that  section  of  forage 
and  commissary  supplies  before  leaving  it,  it  will  now 
hardly  afford  any  special  attractions  for  guerrillas  to 
return  to  until  spring  shall  bring  grass  sufficient  for 
grazing  purposes. 

This  evening  (14th)  a  train  of  upwards  of  one  hun 
dred  wagons  came  in,  loaded  principally  with  corn. 
The  corn  and  forage  thus  brought  in  was  obtained  in 
the  vicinity  of  White  River,  east  of  here,  and  the  ex 
pedition  has  been  absent  five  days.  This  forage  will 
afford  great  relief  to  many  of  our  hungry  animals  that 
have  been  rapidly  losing  flesh  of  late  on  account  of 
short  rations.  In  a  good  many  instances,  horses  that 
have  been  fastened  to  young  trees,  have  gnawed  the 
bark  therefrom  as  high  as  they  could  reach,  so  keenly 
have  they  felt  the  pinch  of  hunger.  I  have  seen  some 
horses,  too,  that  have  even  lost  their  manes  and  tails 
by  their  fellows  chewing  them  in  the  absence  of  some 
thing  more  nutritious.  When  the  demands  of  the  ap 
petite  are  not  satisfied,  men  as  well  as  animals  resort 
to  almost  anything  they  can  chew  for  food. 

Several  days  ago  one  or  two  members  of  a  refugee 


176  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

family  were  reported  to  be  down  with  the  smallpox 
From  inquiries  which  have  been  made  to-day,  it  ap 
pears  that  quite  a  number  of  other  cases  have  broken 
out  among  the  refugees  and  Indian  soldiers  here.  A 
small  pox  hospital  has  been  established  about  half  a 
mile  outside  the  limits  of  our  camp,  where  all  small 
pox  patients  are  taken  as  soon  as  their  disease  has 
been  determined.  Three  or  four  patients  have  already 
died,  and  fears  are  expressed  that  the  disease  will 
spread  considerably  among  the  Indians,  as  it  does  not 
appear  that  many  of  them  have  been  vaccinated.  It 
may  also  take  off  some  of  our  white  soldiers,  though 
I  do  not  find  that  any  of  them  are  in  the  hospital  yet. 
They  have  generally  been  vaccinated  within  the  last 
two  or  three  years,  so  that  they  do  not  manifest  much 
dread  of  the  disease.  It  is  not  likely,  however,  that 
if  some  of  their  friends  should  be  taken  to  the  Small 
pox  Hospital,  they  would  display  much  affection  for 
them  for  a  month  or  so.  Though  the  white  soldiers  of 
Captain  Hopkins'  battery  and  the  battalion  of  the 
Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry  camp  near  together,  yet  there 
can  be  very  little  isolation,  as  by  guard  and  other 
duties  white  and  Indian  soldiers  are  daily  thrown  to 
gether.  If  the  disease  shows  a  tendency  to  spread,, 
and  to  assume  a  serious  form  with  a  high  percentage 
of  mortality,  Colonel  Phillips  will  not  probably  per 
mit  the  air  of  our  camp  to  become  much  infected  with 
its  germs,  before  moving  to  another  locality. 

This  is  surely  a  strange  enemy  to  attack  our  army. 
Silently  as  Apollo's  arrows  it  comes  to  those  who  are 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  177 

not  armed  against  it,  and  the  chances  are  somewhat 
less  than  one  in  ten  of  its  taking  off  its  victim.  We 
are  thus  reminded  that  we  should  not  only  guard 
against  attacks  from  the  visible  foe  whom  we  seek,, 
but  that  we  should  also  guard  against  attacks  from  the 
invisible  foe  whom  we  do  not  seek,  and  which  may  be 
lurking  in  the  very  air  we  breathe.  An  invisible  por 
tion  of  the  small-pox  virus  introduced  into  the  blood 
of  a  person  who  has  never  been  vaccinated,  nor  had 
the  smallpox,  sets  up  a  kind  of  fermentation,  which 
goes  on  until  it  has  entirely  changed  the  molecular 
constitution  of  the  blood,  and  in  some  way  or  other 
affects  all  the  tissues  of  the  body;  or  invisible 
germs,  floating  in  the  air  and  inhaled  into  the  lungs,, 
produce  similar  changes.  But  that  we  are  able  by 
vaccination  to  ward  off,  in  a  great  measure,  the 
dangers  from  this  loathsome  disease,  is  surely  a  great 
blessing.  "Were  it  not  that  many  ol  us  feel  shielded 
from  its  attack,  we  should  not  likely  be  moving  about 
here  daily  with  such  perfect  composure  of  mind  while 
others  are  suffering  from  its  effects  only  a  few  hun 
dred  yards  off. 

There  are  some  who  have  a  dread  of  vaccination, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  that  there  is  often  just  cause  for 
such  dread,  for  there  have  been  many  instances  in 
which  bad  results  have  come  from  using  virus  obtained 
from  unhealthy  persons  or  animals.  The  very  greatest 
caution  should  therefore  be  exercised  in  regard  to  ob 
taining  the  virus  from  only  perfectly  healthy  persons 
or  animals.  Speaking  not  as  a  medical  practitioner, 
12 


178  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

but  as  I  think  from  a  common- sense  point  of  view,  I 
should  say  that  the  virus  intended  for  use,  ought  not 
be  obtained  from  anyone  whose  blood  has  been 
poisoned  by  immoral  practices,  or  anyone  having  a 
consumptive  or  scrofulous  diathesis,  or  anyone  either 
of  whose  parents  or  grandparents  died  of  consumption 
or  were  scrofulous.  Anyone  who  would  ignorantly  or 
willfully  trine  with  the  lives  and  future  health  of  his 
fellows,  is  a  criminal  and  justly  deserves  our  execra 
tions.  It  is  possible,  however,  even  after  one  has 
used  his  most  deliberate  judgment,  to  be  sometimes 
mistaken  or  deceived.  From  such  information  as  we 
have  on  the  subject,  I  think  it  is  generally  regarded  as 
safest  to  use  the  virus  obtained  from  the  cow.  If 
animals  were  raised  for  this  special  purpose,  kept  iso 
lated  and  in  good  condition,  and  properly  inspected, 
then  there  should  be  only  an  infinitesimal  danger  in 
using  the  virus  obtained  from  them.  If  individual 
enterprise  cannot  find  it  remunerative  enough  to  go  to 
this  trouble,  I  think  that,  in  time  of  war,  the  Govern 
ment  would  not  go  outside  of  its  legitimate  functions 
to  stock  a  farm  or  farms  with  animals,  for  the  purpose 
of  furnishing  virus  for  its  soldiers  and  sailors  and 
citizen  employes. 

Our  Medical  department  will,  no  doubt,  after  pro 
per  inquiries,  be  able  to  vaccinate  most  of  those  who 
have  not  already  been  recently  vaccinated,  and  thus 
do  much  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  disease.  The 
approach  of  spring  and  a  warmer  season,  will  also,  per 
haps,  be  more  favorable  towards  stamping  it  out. 


CHAPTEK  IX. 

The  march  to  Camp  Moonlight— Captain  Mefford,  Sixth  Kansas 
Cavalry,  defeats  Livingston's  band — Grass  sufficient  for  Braz 
ing  purposes  about  Fort  Gibson — Supply  train  reinforced 

A  bushwhacker  killed  near  camp — The  people  should  be 
better  informed  by  proclamation  of  the  Federal  purposes- 
Officers  for  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  Indian  regiments  report  to 
Colonel  Phillips— No  such  regiments  exist — Criticisms  con 
cerning  the  matter — Near  Rhea's  Mills  again — Two  loyal  Ar 
kansas  regiments  organized— After  a  battle  the  people  show 
on  which  side  their  sympathies  are  by  their  expressions— The 
people  of  a  less  haughty  spirit  than  in  Missouri— Reconnois- 
sance  returned  from  Dutch  Mills — Women  and  children  raise 
their  own  foodstuffs— The  soldiers  exchange  their  surplus 
rations  for  butter,  eggs,  &c— The  Army  ration— A  party  of 
Union  men  arrive  from  Texas— They  were  hunted  by  the 
enemy  with  blood  hounds. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  March  we  struck 
tents,  left  Bentonville,  and  marched  fifteen  miles  south 
west  to  Big  Springs,  at  the  head  of  Flint  Creek.  This 
is  a  more  desirable  section  than  around  Bentonville. 
The  spring  here  is  one  of  the  finest  in  Northwestern 
Arkansas,  and  furnishes  an  abundance  of  excellent 
water  for  ourselves  and  animals.  It  arises  out  of  the 
earth  almost  like  a  fountain,  and  runs  off  in  a  strong, 
swift  current.  This  would  be  a  delightful  spot  for  a 


180  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

village,  for,  at  a  small  cost  the  water  from  this  spring 
could  be  conducted  through  pipes  into  the  houses  for 
the  convenience  of  families.  Our  camp  is  called 
Carnp  Moonlight,  in  honor  of  Colonel  Thomas  Moon 
light,  of  the  Eleventh  Kansas  infantry,  who  was 
General  Blunt's  Chief  of  Staff  during  the  campaign  in 
this  section  last  fall.  He  is  a  brilliant  officer,  and,  in 
personal  appearance,  one  of  the  finest  looking  officers 
we  had  in  the  division.  He  is  a  Scotchman  by  birth, 
and  is  about  six  feet  two  inches  in  height,  well  pro 
portioned,  and  his  presence,  though  commanding,  is 
not  too  stern,  and  altogether  is  likely  to  produce  a 
favorable  impression.  I  remember  him  during  the 
fall  of  1861,  as  commanding  Moonlight's  battery,  the 
first  light  battery  raised  in  Kansas.  I  think  he  was  also 
on  the  staff  of  General  James  H.  Lane  when  he 
marched  the  Kansas  brigade  through  Missouri  to  join 
General  Fremont's  army  at  Springfield.  No  officer 
has  been  more  active  in  organizing  and  fitting  out  our 
Kansas  troops  for  the  field;  nor  has  any  officer  been 
more  active  in  the  field  than  Colonel  Moonlight.  His 
sound  judgment  and  counsel  no  doubt  contributed 
largely  to  the  success  of  our  campaign  in  this  section 
last  winter. 

Captain  David  Mefford,  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  a  few 
days  ago  had  a  skirmish  with  Livingston's  band  about 
sixteen  miles  north  of  Neosho,  and  got  three  of  his 
men  badly  wounded,  but  succeeded  in  killing  and 
wounding  seven  of  the  enemy,  and  putting  the 
remainder  to  flight.  Captain  Mefford  is  an  experi- 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  181 

enced  officer,  and  a  better  one  could  not  be  selected  to 
deal  with  Livingston's  guerrillas. 

Several  persons  who  have  just  arrived  from  Fort 
Gibson  report  that  grass  is  coming  up  in  sufficient 
quantities  on  the  Arkansas  River  and  lower  Grand 
River  bottoms  for  grazing  purposes.  While  Indian 
ponies  might  live  there  on  the  grass  now,  it  will  pro 
bably  be  two  or  three  weeks  before  our  cavalry  horses 
can  live  on  wild  grass,  and  perform  the  service 
required  of  them.  It  is  necessary  that  they  should 
have  such  strength-giving  food  as  corn  and  oats,  if  the 
cavalry  arm  of  the  service  is  to  be  very  effective.  But 
all  the  approaching  signs  of  spring  increase  the  anx 
iety  of  the  Indians  to  get  into  the  nation.  They 
have  not,  however,  as  yet  displayed  any  impatience, 
but  are  content  to  be  guided  by  the  judgment  of 
Colonel  Phillips.  As  soon  as  transportation  can  be 
had  to  remove  the  Refugee  Indian  families  from 
Neosho,  they  will  leave  that  place  to  join  this  com 
mand  in  the  nation.  It  is  not  likely,  however,  that 
the  transportation  will  be  in  readiness  before  the  first 
of  April.  And  perhaps  it  would  not  be  advisa 
ble  for  them  to  leave  there  at  an  earlier  date,  as  in  this 
latitude  there  frequently  occurs  some  severe  weather 
the  latter  part  of  March.  As  the  season  is  always 
about  a  week  further  advanced  at  Fort  Gibson,  there 
will  be  no  unnecessary  delay  in  their  removal. 

Information  was  received  here  yesterday  evening 
that  a  rebel  force  of  one  hundred  men  were  seen  the 
day  before  in  the  vicinity  of  Cane  Hill.  Colonel 


182  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

Phillips  immediately  sent  out  a  detachment  of  cavalry 
under  Captain  Fred  Crafts  to  discover  the  movements 
of  the  enemy,  but  the  force  returned  here  this  evening 
without  being  able  to  ascertain  anything  definite  in 
regard  to  the  enemy.  It  is  not  very  likely  that  such  a 
small  force  would  remain  many  hours  at  any  place 
within  twenty  miles  of  this  command.  This  was 
probably  a  scouting  party  of  the  enemy  sent  our  from 
the  rebel  camp  below  Yan  Buren,  to  discover  some 
thing  if  possible  in  regard  to  our  movements.  A 
detachment  of  seventy-five  men  under  Captain  H.  S. 
Anderson,  Third  Indian  regiment,  were  sent  out  to-day 
to  overtake  and  reinforce  the  escort  to  our  supply 
train  which  left  here  yesterday  morning  en  route  to 
Fort  Scott.  It  appears  that  Colonel  Phillips  has  in- 
iormation  leading  him  to  believe  that  the  rebel  force 
which  was  seen  a  few  days  ago  in  the  vicinity  of  Cane 
Hill,  has  gone  north,  possibly  with  the  view  of  attack 
ing  our  train. 

A  man  was  found  dead  to-day  just  outside  the  limits 
of  our  camp.  Upon  investigation  the  fact  was  dis 
closed  that  he  was  a  bushwhacker,  and  had  been  killed 
the  day  we  arrived  here  by  some  of  our  advance  guard. 
A  detail  of  men  were  sent  out  to  bury  him  in  the  spot 
where  he  had  fallen.  As  decomposition  had  commenced 
when  he  was  found,  no  efforts  were  made  to  ascertain 
whether  he  had  any  effects  about  him  that  would  give 
any  information  concerning  his  name  and  where  he 
lived.  While  I  have  no  inclination  to  make  a  funeral 
oration  over  him,  yet  I  will  venture  to  remark  that 


ON  THE  BOEDER— 1863.  183 

there  is  a  sad  thought  connected  with  his  lonely  and 
obscure  grave,  for  he  has  fallen  in  a  cause  that  can 
never  receive  the  sympathy  of  men  fighting  for  justice 
and  equal  rights,  without  distinction  of  race  or  color. 
His  misguided  actions  may  have  resulted,  not  from 
a  natural  evil  and  perverse  disposition,  but  from  asso 
ciations  and  connections  over  which  he  had  no  control. 
He  may  not  have  delighted  in  shooting  our  soldiers 
from  concealed  positions,  and  he  may  not  have  tired  at 
them  at  all.  If,  when  on  the  march,  our  troops  see  a 
man  on  the  highway  or  in  the  woods,  and  he  starts  to 
run  and  does  not  stop  when  they  cry  "  halt! "  they  are 
sure  to  fire  upon  him.  We  are  constantly  hearing  of 
men  who,  after  having  acted  for  a  while  with  the  enemy, 
became  tired  of  the  rebellion  and  returned  to  their 
homes,  but  were  afraid  to  come  in  and  surrender  to 
the  Federal  authorities.  We  are  also  told  that  some 
of  these  men,  when  our  troops  come  into  their  neighbor 
hood,  take  to  the  woods,  but  without  any  hostile  in 
tentions  towards  us,  and  that  they  are  fed  by  their 
families  clandestinely.  Lieutenant  Masterton  of  the 
Second  Indiana  battery,  was  assassinated  by  just  this 
class  of  men  when  we  were  encamped  near  here  last 
fall.  A  number  of  other  officers  and  soldiers  of  our 
division  met  a  similar  fate,  and  we  feel  that  men  who 
flee  from  us  are  our  enemies,  and  not  to  be  trusted. 
No  doubt  many  of  the  people  of  this  section  have  ex 
aggerated  notions  ot  our  troops,  particularly  Kansas 
troops  and  Indians.  That  the  people  might  not  be 
kept  in  ignorance  of  our  purposes  and  actions,  I  have 


184  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

sometimes  thought  it  should  not  be  regarded  as  exceed 
ing  his  duty  if  our  military  commander  should  issue 
a  proclamation  to  the  people  of  the  section  we  occupy, 
defining  our  duties,  and  setting  forth  the  treatment 
that  will  be  extended  to  all  who  may  wish  to  come  in  and 
surrender  and  renew  their  allegiance  to  the  Govern 
ment.  If  such  proclamation  were  made,  and  some 
pains  taken  to  have  it  put  into  the  hands  of  all  the 
people  of  this  section,  I  believe  that  there  are  many 
who  would  seek  our  protection  and  friendship,  that  are 
now  avoiding  us.  At  any  rate  every  opportunity  should 
be  given  them  to  return  to  their  allegiance  to  the  Gov 
ernment. 

Colonel  Phillips,  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred 
cavalry,  started  out  to-day  in  search  of  another  conven 
ient  place  for  pitching  our  camp.  There  is  very  little 
forage  in  this  vicinity,  our  troops  having  well-nigh  ex 
hausted  the  supply  when  we  were  encamped  near  here 
last  fall,  before  the  battle  of  Cane  Hill.  When  we 
leave  here  we  shall  march  to  Illinois  river,  twelve 
miles  south. 

To-day,  March  23d,  a  number  of  officers  who  have 
recently  been  appointed  by  the  Secretary  of  War  to 
positions  in  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  Indian  regiments, 
reported  to  Colonel  Phillips  for  duty.  As  the  Fourth 
and  Fifth  Indian  regiments  are  purely  imaginary  or 
ganizations,  as  far  as  any  one  here  knows,  it  is  difficult 
to  see  what  duty  Colonel  Phillips  can  assign  them  to. 
If  these  gentlemen  were  anxious  to  serve  the  Govern 
ment  at  this  critical  time,  the  authorities  at  Washing- 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  385 

ton  might  have  given  them  permission  to  go  into  the 
Nation  to  recruit  their  own  companies  and  regiments ; 
and  then  as  fast  as  a  sufficient  number  of  men  were 
enlisted  into  each  company  to  entitle  it  to  a  company 
organization,  their  commissions  could  have  been  sent 
to  them.  I  do  not  know  what  report  will  be  made  to 
higher  authorities  in  regard  to  the  matter,  but  I  feel 
very  sure,  from  inquiries  and  general  information,  that 
there  cannot  be  enlisted  from  amongst  the  loyal  por 
tion  of  the  Cherokees,  Creeks,  and  Seminoles,  more 
than  enough  men  to  keep  the  present  three  Indian 
regiments  up  to  their  maximum  strength.  This  seems 
an  unusual  proceeding,  to  issue  commissions  to  officers 
for  organizations  that  do  not  exist  and  probably  never 
will  exist.  These  officers  I  suspect,  from  what  I  have 
heard,  are  nearly  all  relatives  or  favorities  of  high  of 
ficials  of  the  Government,  and  perhaps  not  in  a  single 
instance  has  an  appointment  been  made  on  account  of 
merit,  that  is,  on  account  of  bravery  displayed  on  the 
field,  and  ability  to  handle  troops  in  action.  If  the 
Washington  authorities  really  desired  to  organize  one 
or  more  Indian  regiments,  it  would  have  been  very 
little  trouble  to  have  sent  out  here  for  a  report  show 
ing  the  number  of  Indians  that  could  probably  be  en 
listed  into  the  service  within  a  specified  time.  Colonel 
Phillips  no  doubt  could  make-  such  a  report  in  a  few 
weeks,  which  would  be  approximately  correct.  If 
there  had  been  vacancies  to  fill  in  the  Indian  regiments, 
it  would,  in  my  opinion,  be  much  more  just  on  the  part 
of  the  Government  to  have  filled  them  by  appoint- 


186  MEMOIKS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

ments  from  lists  of  non-commissioned  officers  of  reg 
iments  that  have  seen  service  on  the  border.  It  is 
not  very  pleasant  to  those  who  have  been  in  active 
service  since  early  in  the  war,  to  have  their  services 
unrecognized,  and  to  see  green  and  untried  men  given 
important  appointments  by  their  sides  and  over  them. 
Nearly  all  the  orderly  sergeants  of  the  three  Indian 
regiments  of  this  division,  are  white  men,  appointed 
from  Kansas  regiments,  and  should  be  promoted  to 
fill  any  vacancies  that  may  occur  in  their  respective 
regiments.  In  the  event  of  raising  another  Indian 
regiment  or  battalion,  or  in  the  case  of  Colored  regi 
ments  which  are  now  being  organized,  it  would  be 
quite  easy  for  the  Department  Commander  to  call  oil 
commanding  officers  of  regiments  to  furnish  him  lists 
of  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  whose  gen 
eral  intelligence,  bravery,  and  knowledge  of  a  partic 
ular  arm  of  the  service,  would  make  them  efficient 
and  useful  officers  in  the  event  of  promotion.  Out  of 
these  lists  should  be  selected  the  best  qualified  and 
most  deserving,  who  should  be  recommended  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  or  appointing  power,  for  promotion. 
Such  a  plan,  however,  is  not  likely  to  be  adopted  at 
present.  There  are  too  many  who,  if  they  must  enter 
the  service,  must  be  furnished  with  honorable  positions 
without  regard  to  fitness  to  fill  them.  The  class  of 
men,  too,  who  receive  important  appointments  with 
out  having  first  earned  them  by  service  in  the  field  or 
showing  some  special  qualifications,  generally  have 
influence  enough  to  get  detailed  on  special  duties  where 


ON   THE   BORDER-1863.  1ST 

there  is  very  little  danger  from  the  enemy's  bullets. 
These  officers  here  without  commands  will  probably 
draw  their  salaries  for  a  few  months,  or  until  the  facts 
are  reported  to  the  War  Department  that  there  are  no 
men  enlisted  for  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  Indian  regi 
ments,  all  the  same  as  if  they  jvere  fighting,  skirmish 
ing  and  marching  every  day. 

The  Indian  division  left  Big  Springs  or  Camp 
Moonlight  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  and  marched 
to  Illinois  Eiver  twelve  miles  south.  This  brings  us 
within  ten  or  twelve  miles  of  Khea's  Mills,  where  the 
Army  of  the  Frontier,  under  General  Blunt,  was  en 
camped  during  the  month  of  December. 

Colonel  Phillips  has  named  our  camp  here  Camp 
Pomeroy,  in  honor  of  Senator  Pomeroy,  of  Kansas. 
Should  a  Post  office  be  established  at  this  place  after 
the  war,  it  will  probably  take  the  name  of  our  present 

camp. 

On  this  river  there  are  some  fine  tracts  of  land,  and 
the  farmer  is  no  doubt  well  rewarded  for  his  labor. 
The  opening  of  spring,  and  the  fact  that  our  army 
was  all  over  this  section  last  fall  and  the  early  winter, 
will  make  it  difficult  to  obtain  forage,  except  in  very 
small  quantities,  for  our  animals.  But  we  are  gradu 
ally  moving  south  with  a  prospect  of  holding  the 
country.  Two  loyal  Arkansas  regiments  belonging  to 
Colonel  Phillips'  division  are  stationed  at  Fayetteville, 
fifteen  miles  east  of  us,  and  co-operation  of  the  two- 
forces  in  case  of  emergency  would  not  be  difficult. 

A  report  comes  from  St.  Louis  that  General  Curtis 


188  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

has  been  removed  from  the  command  of  the  Depart 
ment  of  Missouri  for  some  cause  not  yet  fully  known 
to  the  public.  It  is  suggested,  however,  that  his  re 
moval  has  been  brought  about  because  he  cannot  give 
satisfaction  to  the  two  political  factions  in  Missouri. 
The  people  of  Missouri  and  Kansas,  I  think,  as  a  general 
thing,  feel  kindly  towards  General  Curtis  since  he  won 
the  great  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  and  saved  those  States 
from  invasion  by  the  rebel  armies,  and  are  not  likely 
to  be  hasty  in  passing  judgment  upon  his  alleged 
short-comings  in  the  administration  of  his  department. 
We  do  not  want  a  Commanding  General  with  no  de 
cided  policy,  and  who  will  be  continually  hampering 
the  movements  of  troops  in  the  field. 

A  party  of  dispatch  bearers  and  mail  carries  just 
arrived  from  Neosho,  state  that  a  report  came  there 
from  Springfield,  that  General  Hunter  has  captured 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  after  very  hard  fighting.  While  we 
should  be  greatly  delighted  to  hear  of  the  fall  of  that 
rebel  stronghold,  we  are  not  inclined  to  credit  the  re 
port  as  true.  It  is  amusing  to  notice  the  effects  that 
.good  reports  and  bad  reports  have  upon  the  counten 
ances  of  our  men.  A  report  like  the  above  circulated 
through  the  camp,  even  though  some  doubt  is  felt 
in  regard  to  its  truthfulness,  lights  up  the  countenances 
of  every  loyal  heart.  The  prospect  of  the  early  clos 
ing  of  the  war,  the  thoughts  of  carrying  our  victorious 
arms  and  banners  into  all  the  rebel  strongholds,  and 
of  the  Stars  and  Stripes  floating  over  all  the  cities  of 
the  South;  and  the  imaginary  scenes  of  returning 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  1S9" 

home,  after  having  passed  through  many  hardships 
and  dangers,  are  enough  to  make  visible  smiles  play 
over  their  countenances.  But  let  the  news  of  defeat  of 
any  of  our  great  armies  in  the  east  reach  us,  as  some 
times  happens,  and  the  sunny  countenances  of  our 
soldiers  change,  and  a  shadow  of  disappointment  min 
gled  with  stern  determination,  may  be  noticed.  On 
whichever  side  our  sympathies  are  on  any  great  ques 
tion,  they  are  generally  clearly  displayed  on  all  extra 
ordinary  occasions  of  victory  or  defeat.  In  marching 
across  the  country  just  after  a  great  battle  has  been 
fought  by  any  of  our  armies,  and  the  news  of  the  re 
sult  of  the  battle  has  preceded  us,  it  is  generally  easy 
to  judge  on  which  side  the  sympathies  are,  of  those 
whom  we  meet  of  the  noncombatant  class.  If  they 
are  rebels  they  may  sometimes,  as  a  matter  of  policy, 
endeavor  to  put  some  restraint  upon  their  feelings, 
but  such  restraint  does  not  usually  conceal  their  real 
feelings.  We  can  generally  tell  that  there  is  some 
bitterness  of  feeling  behind  a  sardonic  smile. 

From  what  I  have  seen,  I  do  not  belteve  that  there 
is  so  much  of  that  haughty  and  defiant  spirit  among 
the  noncombatant  classes  of  this  state,  as  in  Missouri. 
This  may  be  due  to  the  fact  that  there  was  much  less 
wealth  and  luxury  here  than  in  Missouri  before. the 
war.  We  nowhere  see  in  this  section  farms  contain 
ing  a  thousand  acres  of  land  in  unbroken  tracts,  and 
inclosed  with  stone  or  hedge  fences,  and  stocked  with 
great  numbers  of  horses,  mules  and  cattle,  as  might 
have  been  seen  in  most  of  the  western  counties  of 


190  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

Missouri  a  few  years  ago.  The  people  of  Missouri,  with 
their  slave  labor  and  abundance  of  everything,  acted  as 
if  they  felt  their  superiority  to  the  people  of  any  other 
section.  Though  no  one  desires  to  humble  their  proud 
spirits,  the  war  will  probably  teach  them  a  keener 
sense  of  justice  than  they  have  hitherto  shown  to 
wards  those  who  differed  with  them  in  regard  to 
slavery. 

A  party  of  seven  guerrillas  was  seen  yesterday 
evening  less  than  a  mile  from  our  camp,  but  they  sooii 
disappeared  in  the  thick  woods.  "Whether  they  are 
prowling  around  intent  on  some  mischief,  or  whether 
they  have  unintentionally  come  upon  us  while  passing 
through  the  country  to  some  other  locality,  is  not 
known.  But  as  the  soldiers  express  it,  it  will  hardly 
be  safe  for  them  to  roost  in  this  vicinity.  It  is  possi 
ble  that  they  have  been  sent  by  the  rebel  commanding 
officer  at  Yan  Buren  or  Fort  Smith,  into  this  section, 
for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  whether  our  whole 
force  is  moving  south,  or  only  a  reconnoitering  party. 
In  a  few  days  the  organized  forces  of  the  enemy  north 
of  the  Arkansas  River  will  find  it  convenient  to  retire 
to  the  south  bank.  There  is  now  no  prospect  of  Colo 
nel  Phillip's  progress  being  checked  this  side  of  Fort 
Gibson. 

Yesterday  morning  (28th)  a  detachment  of  thirty 
men  were  sent  to  Neosho  with  the  mail  for  the  North, 
and  instructions  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Neosho, 
in  regard  to  removing  the  troops  and  all  the  refugee 
Indian  families  from  there  to  the  nation.  Bv  the  time 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  191 

they  will  be  able  to  join  us,  their  ponies  can  live  by- 
grazing  on  the  grass  of  the  river  bottoms.  They  will 
no  doubt  be  delighted  beyond  expression  that  the  time 
has  come  for  their  return  to  their  homes  from  their 
long  exile. 

Captain  N.  B.  Lucas  and  Lieutenant  W.  M.  Smalley, 
of  the  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  with  about 
two  hundred  men,  returned  last  night  from  Dutch 
Mills,  a  small  place  a  few  miles  west  of  Cane  Hill,  and 
right  on  the  line  of  Arkansas  and  the  Cherokee  Na 
tion.  We  were  sent  out  two  days  ago  with  the  view 
of  ascertaining  as  far  as  possible  any  contemplated 
movements  of  the  enemy,  as  information  had  been  re 
ceived  here  via  Fayetteville,  that  a  rebel  force  of  a 
thousand  men,  under  Colonel  Carroll,  were  encamped 
at  Yan  Buren  on  the  24th,  and  were  intending  to  move 
north  on  the  state  line  road.  From  all  the  informa 
tion  we  could  get  there  is  no  reason  to  believe  that 
Colonel  Carroll's  force  will  make  any  effort  to  operate 
north  of  the  mountains  for  several  weeks.  If  Colonel 
M.  LaKue  Harrison,  the  commanding  officer  at  Fay 
etteville,  is  a  good  fighter,  he  should  be  able  to  hold 
that  post  against  three  thousand  men.  He  has  prob 
ably  better  facilities  for  keeping  himself  informed  in 
regard  to  the  movements  of  the  enemy  south  of  him 
than  Colonel  Phillips  has,  for  many  refugee  families 
are  constantly  coming  into  that  place  from  all  over  the 
western  part  of  the  State.  A  good  many  of  the  "fam 
ilies  of  the  men  of  the  two  regiments  stationed  there, 
have  not  left  their  homes.  An  almost  constant  com- 


192  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

muni  cation  is  therefore  kept  up  between  the  troops  at 
Fayetteville  and  such  of  their  families  as  still  remain 
on  their  homesteads.  The  loyal  families  living  at  a 
distance  from  Fayetteville  probably  feel  such  a  deep 
interest  in  the  command  to  which  their  male  members 
belong,  that  doubtless,  in  many  instances,  they  would 
spare  no  effort  to  convey  information  to  it  which  may 
be  useful  to  it  in  guarding  against  surprise  by  the 
enemy.  Many  of  the  women  of  this  section 
are  perfectly  at  ease  in  horse -back  riding,  and 
in  a  matter  in  which  they  felt  great  interest,  would 
perhaps  not  hesitate  to  perform  a  journey  of  several 
days.  But  admitting  that  the  wives  and  daugh 
ters  of  our  troops  at  Fayetteville  are  disposed  to  keep 
them  advised  of  the  movements,  as  far  as  practicable, 
where  would  they  get  animals  to  ride.  That  indeed 
would  be  the  great  difficulty;  but  I  think  that  very 
many  families,  both  loyal  and  disloyal,  keep  some 
kind  of  animals  on  their  premises ;  blind  horses,  knock- 
kneed  mules,  or  even  something  better,  so  that  they 
will  not  do  for  army  service.  Very  few  first-class 
horses  and  mules  were  left  in  this  section  after  our 
army  moved  north  last  winter. 

Arrangements  are  being  made  to  remove  all  the  sick 
of  this  division  to  Hilterbrand's  Mills,  about  thirty 
miles  west  of  here,  in  the  Cherokee  nation,  on  the  first 
of  April.  We  know  now  that  we  shall  move  across 
the  line  into  the  Nation  in  a  few  days.  The  peach 
trees  have  been  in  bloom  for  several  days,  and  the 
swelling  buds  on  the  forest  trees  are  ready  to  burst, 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  193 

and   display  their  young  leaflets,    and  we  see  a  good 
many  wild  flowers   of  early    species  by  the  wayside. 
Some  of  our  detachments  which  have  just  come  down 
from  Missouri  and  Kansas,  say  that  the  season  is  nearly 
two  weeks  further   advanced   here  than   there.     But 
Spring  will  not   bring  that  renewed  life  and  activity, 
of  which  it  is  significant,  among  the  people  here,  that 
it  will  North.     Of  the   hundreds   of  farms  all  over 
this  region,  very  few  can  be  cultivated  this  season,  for 
the  fences  around  most  of  them  have  been  destroyed, 
burned  as  fuel  by  the  armies,  and  there  is  nobody  left 
to  cultivate  them  except  women  and  children,  cripples 
and  old  men.     Here  and  there  these  classes  may  find 
rails  enough  left  to   inclose  a  few   acres,  and  cultivate 
them,  with  the  assistance  of  such  animals  as  have  not 
been  taken  for  use  in  the  army.     Mothers  and  daugh 
ters  who,  before  the  war,  never  dreamed  of  having  to 
work  in  the  fields,  and  who  knew  nothing  of  the  hard 
ships  entailed   upon  many   families  by  the  war,  will 
have  to  raise  their  own  sustenance  in  this  section  this 
year.    Of  course  in  those  families  where  sons  are  grow 
ing  up,  and  are  in  their  teens,  the   hardships  will  not 
fall  so  heavily  upon  the  female  members.     The  uncer 
tainty  of  being   able  to  use  or  '  to  get   a  just  and  fair 
equivalent  for  what  they  raise  under  all  these  disad 
vantages,   must  fill  the  minds  of  many  with  discour 
agement.     Their  own  necessities,  however,  prospective 
want,  prompt  them  to  make  the  best  of  the  situation. 
We  have  seen  some  plowing   and  preparations   for 
planting  and  sowing  garden  stuff;  and   Colonel  Phil- 


18 


194  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

lips  has  exercised  great  care  in  not  permitting  depre 
dations  on  the  premises  of  the  people,  on  the  line  of 
our  march,  and  in  the  neigborhood  of  our  camps.  "We 
have  been  obliged  to  forage  on  the  country  during  the 
past  winter,  but  I  think,  as  a  general  rule,  families  have 
been  permitted  to  keep  undisturbed  their  supplies  of 
provisions,  such  as  flour,  meal  and  bacon.  The  rations 
issued  to  this  command,  with  the  exception  of  fresh 
beef  and  pork,  have  all  been  transported  from  the 
!North.  We  have  had  full  rations  all  winter,  for  which 
we  are  indebted  to  the  untiring  and  cautious  judgment 
of  Colonel  Phillips.  The  army  ration  is  good,  sub 
stantial  food,  and  is  all  any  man,  not  a  glutton,  needs 
to  keep  himself  in  excellent  condition.  And  our  men 
are  in  excellent  condition,  and  I  think  it  probable,  that 
since  they  have  become  inured  to  the  service,  they  had 
never  enjoyed  better  health  at  any  time  before  their 
enlistments.  Each  company  accumulates  quite  a  sur 
plus  of  rations  every  month.  The  company  commis 
sary  sergeant  is  generally  authorized  to  exchange  some 
of  these  surplus  rations  for  articles  not  issued  by  the 
Government,  as  butter,  eggs,  chickens,  &c.  Our  ex 
cellent  coffee  is  in  great  demand  among  the  people  of 
this  section,  as  many  of  them  have  not  used  the  gen 
uine  article  since  the  first  year  of  the  war.  In  some 
families  brown  corn  or  wheat  has  been  used  as  a  sub 
stitute.  Corn  coffee  is  a  quite  common  expression  in 
this  section,  but  the  next  generation  may  never  hear 
of  it.  We  sometimes  hear  the  remark,  that  a  cup  of 
"Yankee  coffee"  will  make  even  a  rebel  lady  smile.  To 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  ]  95 

many  the  flavor  of  pure  coffee  is  more  agreeable  than 
the  bouquet  of  a  fine  wine.  Rebel  as  well  as  Union 
families,  do  not  hesitate  to  oifer  their  commodities  for 
exchange.  Our  tea,  sugar,  molasses,  and  even  salt, 
may  also  be  exchanged  to  good  advantage  by  our  sold 
iers,  as  these  articles  cannot  now  be  obtained  in  this 
section  by  purchase. 

I  have  generally  issued  to  the  regiment  to  which  I 
belong,  from  one-fourth  to  half  of  the  bread  ration  in 
hard  bread,  or  "hard  tack,"  and  the  remainder  in  flour; 
and  about  the  same  proportion  of  the  meat  ration  in 
bacon,  and  the  balance  in  fresh  beef.  Hence  when  de 
tachments  are  sent  out  on  scouting  expeditions  for 
several  jiays,  they  are  furnished  with  hard  bread  and 
bacon,  a  food  that  is  strength-giving  and  much  relished 
after  one  has  been  marching  all  day  and  night.  When 
in  camp  we  always  have  fresh  bread  and  fresh  meat, 
beef,  pork  or  mutton.  Perhaps  no  government  has 
ever  had  a  better  system  of  providing  for  the  comforts 
of  its  soldiers  than  ours,  during  the  present  war. 

Eleven  men  came  into  our  camp  to-day  (31st)  from 
southwestern  Arkansas  and  northern  Texas.  J.  E. 
Pratt,  a  staunch  and  prominent  Unionist  from  Texas, 
is  the  leader  of  the  party.  He  lived  in  Missouri  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war,  and  moved  to  Texas  to  keep 
out  of  it,  but  soon  found  that  it  was  not  a  suitable 
place  for  a  man  whose  sympathies  were  with  the  Gov 
ernment.  These  men  represent  a  dreadful  state  of 
things  in  the  sections  which  they  have  recently  left. 
Mr.  Pratt  states  that  in  northwestern  Texas,  there  are 


196  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

many  Union  families,  and  that  the  Union  men  have 
made  several  attempts  to  organize,  but  that  such  at 
tempts  have  resulted  disastrously  to  all  those  whose 
names  were  connected  with  any  loyal  demonstration. 
He  also  represents  that  a  good  many  Unionists  have 
been  hung — sixteen  in  one  town,  and  that  others  have 
been  persecuted  and  hunted  down  with  the  assistance 
of  bloodhounds ;  that  Union  men  could  not  then  con 
ceal  themselves  in  the  woods  and  mountains  in  the 
vicinity  of  their  homes,  as  rebels  do  in  this  section, 
for  the  bloodhounds  would  soon  be  upon  their  tracks. 
They  could  find  no  resting  place  until  they"  left  the 
State,  Such  cruel  and  relentless  treatment  as  these 
men  appear  to  have  received  at  the  hands  of  the  rebel 
authorities,  we  might  expect  from  savages,  but  not 
from  civilized  men.  For  upwards  of  two  hundred 
miles  they  had  a  toilsome  journey,  often  finding  it 
difficult  to  work  their  way  through  mountain  passes, 
guarded  by  the  enemy.  Men  of  pronounced  Union 
sentiments  no  doubt  have  a  hard  time  of  it,  where  they 
are  so  unfortunate  as  to  live  in  localities  in  which  the 
rebel  sentiment  largely  predominates.  Perhaps  few 
of  us  fully  realize  what  it  costs  to  be  a  Union  man  in 
the  South.  But  let  those  who  love  the  Old  Flag  of  their 
fathers,  stand  firm  in  its  defence,  for  if  the  signs  of 
the  times  are  not  at  fault,  the  day  of  their  deliver 
ance  cannot  be  very  distant. 


CHAPTER  X. 

April  Fool's  day— Seven  Pin  Indians  killed  at  Park  Hill,  C.  N., 
by  the  enemy  in  federal  uniform — The  march  to  Cincinnati 
on  the  State  line — War  paint  and  yelping  of  the  Indians  when 
they  start  out — Commendable  conduct  of  the  Indian  soldiers 
while  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas — The  division  crosses  the 
line  into  the  Indian  country — On  the  march  to  Park  Hill — 
The  country  becomes  more  inviting  and  the  vegetation  more 
advanced — Rebel  scouting  party  near  Fayetteville — Arrival  at 
Park  Hill  and  meeting  of  the  Indian  refugee  families  from 
Neosho — Great  manifestations  of  joy  and  affecting  scenes — 
Stanawaitie  commanding  the  rebel  Indians — Colonel  Phillips 
sends  out  a  strong  reconnoissance — Webber's  Falls— He 
drives  the  enemy  into  the  Arkansas  River  and  takes  Fort 
Gibson — Description  of  the  place — Its  importance — The 
beautiful  Grand  and  Verdigris  Rivers. 

THIS  is  April  Fool's  day,  but  no  one  has  come  to  me 
all  aglow  with  excitement  and  asked  me  to  prepare  to 
meet  the  enemy  charging  down  the  road.  Nor  have 
I  heard  that  some  adventurous  spirit,  amongst  us,  in  a 
dream  last  night,  commenced  to  kill  all  our  animals, 
thinking  he  was  slaying  the  enemy  like  mad  Ajax. 
Probably  not  one  in  a  hundred  of  our  soldiers  here 
thinks  of  the  first  day  of  April  in  connection  with  the 
custom  associated  with  it  in  nearly  all  the  large  cities 
of  Christendom. 


198  MEMOIRS   OF  THE  REBELLION 

A  detachment  of  this  division  just  arrived  from 
Park  Hill,  Cherokee  Nation,  reports  that  seven  of  our 
Indians,  known  as  Pins,  were  killed  at  that  place  a 
few  days  ago  by  a  party  of  rebels  wearing  the  federal 
uniform.  By  this  deception  and  dastardly  act  the  en 
emy  were  permitted  to  approach  within  a  few  yards  of 
the  Indians,  and,  by  a  well-directed  fire,  shot  them 
down  before  they  had  time  to  offer  any  resistance. 
This  is  not  the  only  instance  during  the  past  year  of 
small  detachments  of  our  troops  having  been  en 
trapped  by  the  enemy  who  were  dressed  in  the  federal 
uniform.  Orders  were  issued  early  in  the  war  in  re 
gard  to  the  punishment  to  be  inflicted  upon  rebels 
caught  wearing  the  federal  uniform.  Every  one  cap 
tured  wearing  it  should  be  tried  by  a  drum-head 
court-martial,  condemned  and  immediately  shot. 
Should  any  of  our  soldiers  go  within  the  enemy's 
lines  and  practice  a  similar  deception,  and  get  cap 
tured,  they  would  hardly  expect  any  leniency  from  the 
confederate  authorities.  Such  a  method  of  carrying  on 
war  cannot  be  too  strongly  condemned,  nor  those 
caught  engaged  in  it  too  quickly  punished  to  the  ex 
tent  of  involving  the  death  penalty.  On  our  side  we 
do  not  wish  to  let  the  war  degenerate  into  a  form  that 
would  put  us  on  a  par  with  the  lowest  savages.  One 
would  think  that  the  confederate  leaders,  who  like  to 
boast  of  their  chivalry,  would  not  tolerate  practices 
so  much  at  variance  with  the  usages  of  modern 
warfare  among  civilized  nations.  In  the  end  such 
treachery  and  cowardice  can  avail  them  nothing, 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  199 

besides  it  will   leave  a  stain  upon    their   arms  thai 
history  cannot  wipe  out. 

The  Indian  division  left  Camp  Pomeroy  on  the  Illi 
nois  river,  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  and  marched 
twelve  miles  southwest  to  Cincinnati,  a  small  village 
on  the  State  line.  The  place  may  have  contained  a 
population  of  a  hundred  people  before  the  war,  but 
probably  nearly  half  the  families  have  moved  away — 
particularly  those  of  known  Union  sentiments.  In 
peaceable  times  the  few  business  establishments  here 
perhaps  had  quite  a  traffic  with  the  Indians  from  the 
Cherokee  Nation.  It  is  the  intention  to  remain  here 
only  a  few  days,  when  we  shall  pass  into  the  Indian 
territory,  which  will  probably  for  some  time  be  the 
centre  of  our  operations. 

Lieutenant  Joseph  Hall,  of  the  battalion  of  the 
Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  with  a  detachment  of  one  hun 
dred  men,  came  in  to-day  from  Dutch  Mills,  where 
he  was  sent  several  days  ago  to  fetch  out  a  number 
of  Unionists  who  have  been  concealed  in  the  moun. 
tains  to  escape  capture  and  destruction  by  the  enemy. 
Colonel  Phillips  has  shown  a  disposition  to  do  every 
thing  in  his  power  to  afford  protection  to  the  loyal 
people  of  this  section.  The  appeals  for  protection  and 
assistance  in  various  ways  are  quite  numerous.  One 
day  a  report  comes  in  that  a  Union  family,  some  thirty 
miles  distant  in  a  given  direction,  has  been  robbed  by 
bushwhackers  of  everything  they  possessed,  are  in  desti 
tute  circumstances,  and  desire  to  come  into  our  lines 
until  they  have  an  opportunity  of  going  north  with 


200  MEMOIKS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

our  supply  trains  and  escorts.  Another  day  the  news 
comes  to  us  of  a  loyal  family  in  distress  in  some  other 
direction.  A  detachment  of  cavalry  and  one  or  more 
mule  teams  are  sent  out  to  bring  in  the  men,  women 
and  children,  and  their  effects. 

Last  night,  just  as  a  scouting  party  were  going  out, 
an  Indian  soldier  was  instantly  killed  by  the  dis 
charge  of  a  musket  on  the  shoulder  of  a  comrade  in 
front  of  him, — going  off  accidentally.  The  muzzle  of 
the  gun  was  so  near  him  that  the  ball  tore  away  nearly 
the  whole  anterior  portion  of  the  skull.  The  Indian 
troops  are  armed  with  muzzle-loading  muskets,  whose 
calibres  range  from  69  to  72,  requiring  balls  weighing 
upwards  of  an  ounce.  They  do  not  always  sling  their 
muskets  to  their  shoulders  so  that  the  muzzles  point 
directly  downwards,  as  we  do  our  Sharp's  carbines. 
Nor  are  their  arms  as  effective  as  ours.  We  can  per 
haps,  on  an  average,  load  and  discharge  our  Sharpe's 
carbines  a  dozen  times  while  an  Indian  loads  and  dis 
charges  his  musket  once.  Our  small  arms  have  been 
already  greatly  improved  since  the  war  commenced. 
The  troops  that  have  been  longest  in  the  field  are  gen 
erally  supplied  with  the  most  improved  models.  But 
the  Indians  are  generally  good  marksmen,  and  when 
rapid  firing  is  not  required  (as  on  the  skirmish  line) 
their  muskets  may  be  used  quite  effectively. 

The  Indians  are  rather  amusing  as  soldiers,  particu 
larly  in  regard  to  their  war-paint  and  yelping  when 
starting  out  on  a  scouting  expedition  or  on  the  march. 
They  seem  to  prefer  to  march  in  single  file;  but  our 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  201 

officers  have  drilled  them  in  the  regular  manual,  so 
that  there  is  now  very  little  difficulty  in  having  them 
inarch  by  twos,  fours,  and  by  platoons,  as  required. 
But  no  matter  in  what  order  they  are  marching,  when 
they  start  out  and  the  head  of  the  column  has  got  far 
enough  from  camp  for  the  rear  to  get  in  motion,  the 
war  whoop  commences  at  the  head  of  the  column  and 
runs  back  to  the  rear.  This  is  generally  kept  up  for 
some  time.  "When  the  air  is  more  resonant  than 
usual,  I  have  heard  the  woods  fairly  ring  with  their 
yelping.  During  the  campaign  in  this  section  last 
fall,  Colonel  Phillips'  Indian  brigade  was  often  a  mile 
or  more  from  us,  but  we  knew  every  morning,  unless 
it  was  stormy  weather,  just  when  it  started  out,  by 
this  yelping  or  war  whoop,  which  generally  lasted  fif 
teen  to  twenty  minutes.  There  is  a  strong  contrast 
between  the  Indian  and  our  white  soldiers  in  this  re 
spect.  Ten  thousand  of  our  white  troops  may  start 
out  on  the  march  every  morning,  and  manifest  such 
silence  that  ihey  could  not  be  heard  a  hundred  yards 
away,  except  as  to  the  tramping  of  their  horses  and 
the  ratting  of  their  artillery  carriages. 

Though  our  Indian  troops  have  been  in  Missouri 
and  Arkansas  since  early  last  autumn,  I  believe  t1  at 
they  have  committed  fewer  unathgrized  depredations 
than  the  same  number  of  white  troops,  had  they  occu 
pied  the  same  localities.  The  non-combatant  classes 
seem  to  have  an  almost  instinctive  fear  of  the  Indians, 
yet  it  has  been  a  very  rare  thing  to  hear  of  complaints 
being  made  against  our  Indian  soldiers  for  having 


202  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

committed  unauthorized  acts.  Much  credit  is  due  to 
Colonel  Phillips  for  the  splendid  discipline  he  has 
maintained  without  having  to  resort  to  severe  meas 
ures.  No  military  commander  could  have  discharged 
his  duty  in  a  more  commendable  manner.  "We  pass 
now  into  the  Indian  country,  and  bid  a  temporary 
adieu  to  Arkansas. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  6th  we  left  Cincinnati 
and  marched  to  Dutch  Mills,  twelve  miles  south,  on 
the  State  line.  At  this  point  we  took  the  road  leading 
into  the  Cherokee  Nation  towards  Park  Hill,  but 
marched  only  a  few  miles  west  when  we  pitched  our 
camp,  and  called  it  Camp  "  Jim  Lane,"  in  honor  of 
Senator  James  H.  Lane,  whose  name  is  familiar  to 
every  one  acquainted  with  the  history  of  Kansas.  At 
eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  everything 
was  in  readines  to  move,  and  fro-m  Camp  "  Jim  Lane" 
we  marched  to  Park  Hill,  twenty-two  miles  west,  and 
encamped  near  the  residence  of  the  Chief,  John  Ross. 
After  we  left  Duchtown  every  mile  of  the  country  we 
passed  over  became  more  inviting.  For  agricultural 
and  grazing  purposes  it  is  certainly  much  superior  to 
Arkansas.  We  crossed  the  Illinois  river  again,  a  few 
miles  to  the  east  of  us  on  the  inarch  here.  It  dis 
charges  a  larger  volume  of  water  than  when  we  crossed 
it  in  Arkansas,  and  its  bottoms  are  much  wider,  and 
its  course  changes  toward  the  south.  It  does  not, 
however,  go  rushing  along  in  such  a  rapid  and  im 
petuous  current,  but  is  now  a  placid  and  gently  flow 
ing  stream.  Every  day's  march  to  the  southwest 


ON  THE  BOEDER— 1863.  203 

brings  us  into  a  region  where  the  vegetation  is  more 
advanced  than  where  we  were  the  day  before,  the  wild 
flowers  are  more  beautiful,  the  birds  sing  sweeter  and 
have  brighter  and  more  elegant  plumage,  and  alto 
gether  one  feels  happier.  We  believe  that  even  our 
animals  show  a  more  hopeful  expression.  Grass  and 
wild  onions  in  the  river  bottoms  are  up  an  inch  or  so  in 
height,  and  animals  not  required  to  work  can  live 
without  any  other  food.  The  country  here  is  not  so 
broken  and  hilly  as  in  nortwestern  Arkansas;  in  fact 
we  are  right  on  the  border  of  the  prairie  region. 

A  detachment  of  the  battalion,  the  Sixth   Kansas 
cavalry,  who  came  in  from  Fayetteville  this  morning, 
report  that  a  rebel  scouting  party  of  about   one  hun 
dred  and  fifty  men,  were  within   seven  miles  of  that 
place  on  the  6th  instant.     Our  soldiers  came  near  run 
ning  into  the  main  body  of  them,  so  near,  indeed,  that 
they  captured  one  of  their  men  who  had  fallen  behind, 
and  brought  him  a  prisoner  to   our  camp,  using  him 
most  of  the  time  as  a  guide.     This  considerable  force 
of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  so  near   our   troops,  indicates 
his  intention  of  displaying  greater  activity  as  the  sea 
son  advances.     Now  that  we  are  getting  so  far  away 
from  Fayetteville,  about  fifty  miles,  and   as   we  shall 
probably  have  our  own  hands  full  very  soon,  Colonel 
Harrison  will  have  to  depend  upon  his  own  resources 
to  hold  his  station.     We  are  unable  to  understand  why 
so  many   of  our  troops  are  kept  in    the  vicinity  of 
Springfield,  as  we  have  heard  of  no   threatened  inva 
sion  of  Missouri  by  the  enemy  directly  south  or  south- 


•204  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

east  of  that  place.     The  State  Militia  could  probably 
preserve  order  in  that  section  if  our  volunteer  troops 
should  occupy  a  more  advanced  position,   and  prevent 
the  invasion  of  the  State  by  the   organized   forces   of 
the  enemy. 

The  refugee  train  arrived  to-day  (9th)  from  JSTeosho, 
having  been  ten  days  en  route  to  this  place.  The 
train,  which  was  about  a  mile  long,  came  in  sight 
about  ten  o'clock.  It  was  a  lovely  spring  morning, 
the  air  soft  and  balmy,  and  everything  looking  gay  and 
cheerful.  Some  of  the  Indian  soldiers  went  out 
several  miles  to  meet  their  families,  but  many  waited 
until  the  train  had  approached  near  our  camp.  I 
watched  them  with  a  good  deal  of  interest.  Such 
manifestations  of  joy  on  the  meeting  of  husbands  and 
wives  and  children,  I  have  never  before  witnessed. 
There  were,perhaps,nearly  a  thousand  families  brought 
down,  and  in  many  instances  husbands  have  been 
separated  from  their  wives  and  children  for  nearly  a 
year.  Their  joy  was,  no  doubt,  increased  with  the 
thought  of  being  able  to  meet  one  another  in  their 
own  country  and  near  their  own  capital.  The  restor 
ing  to  their  homes  an  entire  people  who  have  so  long 
been  exiles,  will  surely  be  an  event  in  their  history 
that  should  not  be  passed  over  without  mention.  If 
they  were  as  emotional  in  their  natures  as  the  French, 
I  knowT  they  would  cry  with  one  voice,  viva  la  Phil 
lips.  But  their  unbounded  confidence  in  him  shows 
their  strong  regard  for  him,  and  is  probably  as  keenly 
appreciated  by  him  as  noisy  demonstrations.  That 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  205 

he  should  have  provided  for  the  safety  and  comfort  of 
their  families  during  the  winter,  and  restored  them  to 
their  homes  so  early  in  the  spring,  is  enough  to  set 
them  rejoicing,with  hearts  full  of  gratitude  towards  their 
deliverer.  Tahlequah,  the  capital  of  the  Cherokee  Na 
tion,  is  about  seven  miles  northwest  of  here,  but  it  has 
never  been  a  place  of  much  importance  in  a  business 
point  of  view.  It  never  contained  a  population  of 
more  than  a  few  hundred  inhabitants,  and  a  dozen 
good  buildings.  Some  of  the  buildings  will  probably 
soon  be  used  for  hospital  purposes  for  the  sick  of  this 
division,  particularly  the  small-pox  patients. 

A  skirmish  took  place  yesterday,  the  10th,  at  Fort 
Gibson  between  a  battalion  of  our  Indian  soldiers  and 
a  small  force  of  Standwai ties'  Rebel  Indians,  resulting 
in  the  capture  of  half  a  dozen  prisoners  and  the  kil 
ling  and  wounding  of  five  of  the  enemy,  the  remain 
der  having  made  their  escape  by  swimming  across  the 
Arkansas  river.  It  may  now  be  said  that  we  have  un 
disputed  possession  of  all  the  Indian  country  north 
of  the  Arkansas  river.  If  there  are  any  forces  on 
this  side  of  the  river  they  will  doubtless  plunge  into 
it  rather  than  to  cross  swords  with  our  troops. 

Colonel  Standwai  tie,  who  has  commanded  the  Rebel 
portion  of  the  Cherokees,  is  himself  a  Cherokee,  and 
seems  to  have  a  wider  fame  than  his  valor  and  military 
skill  entitle  him  to.  We  have  heard  a  good  deal  of 
him  ever  since  we  came  into  this  country  last  June, 
but  have  been  unable  to  meet  him.  When  we  have 
had  a  skirmish  with  any  of  his  Indians,  it  has  always 


206  'MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

turned  out  that  he  was  not  with  them.  We  do  not 
quite  regard  him  as  a  mythical  character,  but  we  do  not 
believe  him  to  be  such  a  brave  and  dashing  Indian  as 
lie  has  often  been  represented,  and  as  the  frequent 
use  of  his  name  in  connection  with  predatory  actions 
would  indicate.  He  has  never  boldly  attacked  even  a 
detachment  of  our  troops.  Our  Indians  say  that  his 
name  is  not  appropriate  at  all,  that  he  does  not  stand 
and  wait  for  us,  but  that  he  is  always  on  the  run  as 
soon  as  our  troops  seek  him.  We  shall,  however, 
doubtless  have  occasion  to  try  his  valor  before  the 
summer  is  over. 

Our  entire  division  is  to  move  to  Fort  Gibson  in  a 
few  days;  but  before  setting  out,  Colonel  Phillips  has 
deemed  it  expedient  to  thoroughly  reconnoitre  the 
country  between  here  and  that  place,  and  for  that  pur 
pose  to-day  sent  out  a  party  of  the  Second  Indian 
regiment  and  one  company  of  the  battalion  of  the 
Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  under  Colonel  David  JB.  Corwin. 
Every  precaution  is  being  taken  that  our  trains,  artil 
lery,  and  thorough  organization  shall  iiot  be  endanger 
ed  by  ambuscade  or  surprise.  We  are  now  so  far 
away  from  any  other  troops  from  whom  we  could  ex 
pect  assistance,  that  a  defeat  might  prove  the  com 
plete  demoralization  of  this  division.  Colonel  Phil 
lips  has  carefully  considered  the  probable  consequences 
which  would  be  sure  to  follow  any  reckless  action  of  a 
military  commander  occupying  his  position- 
Major  Foreman,  of  the  Third  Indian  regiment,  who 
was  sent  out  'from  here  on  the  8th  instant  with  about 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  207 

three  hundred  men,  to  make  a  reconnoissance  in  the 
direction  of  Webber's  Falls,  on  the  Arkansas  river, 
some  twenty-five  miles  south  of  us ,  returned  to-day, 
having  captured  nearly  three  hundred  head  of  cattle, 
and  killed  six  of  the  enemy,  including  one  captain 
and  one  sergeant.  He  also  brought  in  a  number  of 
prisoners,  who  thought  that  their  last  day  had  come. 
The  action  took  place  near  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois 
river,  and  the  enemy  were  so  completely  surprised 
that  they  made  very  little  resistence.  "We  had  only 
three  or  four  men  wounded. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  the  troops  and  trains 
of  our  division  left  "  Camp  John  Ross,"  and  marched 
to  Fort  Gibson,  eighteen  miles  southwest.  We  passed 
over  a  lovely  country,  probably  the  finest  in  the 
Cherokee  Nation.  It  appears  to  have  been  very  well 
settled  before  the  war,  with  many  good  farms  under 
cultivation.  The  line  of  march  was  mainly  over  rol 
ling  prairies,  though  there  was  some  timber  on  several 
small  streams  which  we  crossed. 

E~ow  that  we  have  pitched  our  tents  at  Fort  Gibson, 
and  as  this  place  will  probably  be  the  centre  of  our 
operations  during  the  spring  and  summer,  we  may 
look  around  a  little  writh  the  view  of  finding  some 
thing  worth  setting  down.  This  is  quite  an  old  post. 
It  was  established  as  a  military  post  by  the  United 
States  before  the  Cherokees  left  their  Tennessee  and 
Georgia  homes  and  emigrated  to  this  Territory.  There 
are  now  two  or  three  persons  living  here  who  say  that 
they  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  Jefferson  Davis,  a 


208  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

Lieutenant  of  Dragoons,  when  lie  was  stationed  at  this 
post  as  far  back  as  1832.  It  does  not  appear  that  any 
defensive  works  were  ever  erected  here,  except  a  couple 
of  block-houses,  and  they  are  useless  now.  There  are 
two  good  substantial  stone  buildings  which  have  been 
used  for  quartermaster  and  commissary  store  houses. 
Their  rooting  is  made  of  slate,  and  they  will  be  very 
valuable  in  storing  our  quartermaster  and  commissary 
supplies,  as  they  are  transported  by  trains  from  Fort 
Scott.  They  are  large  enough  to  hold  supplies  for 
this  division  for  upwards  of  thirty  days.  And  they 
stand  on  a  bluff  overlooking  Grand  River  to  the  west. 
The  officers'  and  soldiers'  quarters  are  wooden  struc 
tures,  and  built  on  a  piazza  or  public  square,  similar  to 
the  Court  House  squares  of  country  towns.  They  are 
about  two  hundred  yards  south  of  the  stone  buildings 
above  mentioned,  on  the  slope  of  the  hill,  and  are 
beginning  to  look  old  and  dilapidated,  although  the 
interiors  of  the  officers'  quarters  are  in  good  con 
dition,  having  been  more  expensively  and  elegantly 
finished  up  than  the  soldiers'  quarters.  They  are  dif 
ferent  from  the  officers'  and  soldiers'  quarters  at  Fort 
Scott,  Kansas,  in  this  respect:  They  are  all  single 
storied  buildings,  while  at  Scott  the  officers'  quarters 
have  two  stories  with  attics,  and  the  soldiers'  quarters 
are  two  stories.  There  are  several  unfinished  stone 
buildings  on  the  bluff  near  the  quartermaster  and  com 
missary  store  houses,  which  before  the  war  the  Govern 
ment  had  under  contract  to  be  finished  up  for  permanent 
quarters  for  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Regular  Army. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  209 

The  location  here  is  a  lovely  one  for  a  military  post, 
and  perhaps  for  some  future  city  of  considerable 
importance.  Looking  to  the  east  from  the  bluff  where 
the  stone  buildings  stand,  you  see  in  the  distance,  some 
ten  miles  off,  the  western  terminus  of  the  range  of 
mountains  which  run  north-eastward  through  Arkan 
sas.  Turning  to  the  south,  you  overlook  the  Arkansas 
river  three  miles  distant,  and  your  eyes  rest  upon  the 
opposite  heights,  and  the  prairie  country  beyond.  Some 
places  the  heights  are  obscured  by  the  heavy  timber 
along  the  Arkansas;  at  other  places  you  see  them  as 
through  a  vista.  Turning  to  the  west  and  south-west, 
you  see  at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  the  western  heights 
of  Grand  River.  Further  to  the  south-west  may  be  seen 
a  prairie  region  with  a  strip  of  timber  running  through 
it  in  a  south-east  direction.  This  strip  of  timber  marks 
the  course  of  the  Yerdigris  Eiver,  which  empties  into 
the  Arkansas  River  some  five  or  six  miles  above  the 
mouth  of  Grand  River.  .  The  junctions  of  these  three 
rivers,  the  Arkansas,  the  Grand  and  the  Verdigris, 
being  within  a  few  miles  of  each  other,  and  the  three 
being  nearly  of  the  same  size,  will  be  favorable  for  the 
building  of  an  important  city  somewhere  in  this 
vicinity  when  the  country  comes  into  the  possession 
of  the  whites,  as  it  probably  will  sometime  in  the 
future.  The  Cherokees,  however,  have  made  such 
progress  in  civilization,  and  have  also  been  such 
staunch  and  reliable  friends  of  the  whites  for  nearly 
a  century,  with  one  or  two  unimportant  exceptions, 
that  they  are  not  likely  to  be  disturbed  in  the  peaceable 
14 


210  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

possession  of  their  country  under  the  existing  order  of 
things.  As  a  people,  they  might  have  been  regarded  as 
wealthy  before  the  war.  When  we  came  into  this 
section  and  the  country  above  here  last  July  and 
August,  we  saw  fine  herds  of  cattle  and  ponies  graz 
ing  upon  the  prairies,  or  standing  in  the  cool  waters  of 
shady  and  peaceful  flowing  streams,  the  very  pictures 
oi  rural  life  in  a  beautiful  and  happy  country.  The 
pictures  were  of  course  incomplete,  for  we  nowhere 
saw  in  the  background  or  foreground  happy  maidens 
tripping  along  and  attending  to  their  dairy  or  house 
hold  duties.  Nor  did  we  hear  happy  voices  or  see  any 
of  those  desirable  features  of  country  life,  familiar  to 
those  whose  earlier  years  were  passed  on  the  farm. 

But  let  us  return  to  things  as  we  now  see  them. 
This  has  been  a  central  position  from  which  the 
Government  could  easily  communicate  with  a  number 
of  Indian  tribes.  Supplies  for  the  troops  stationed 
here,  and  annuity  goods  for  distribution  to  the  Indians, 
have  been  brought  up  by  river  transportation,  ever 
since  this  post  was  established.  Every  season  during 
the  spring  rise  of  the  Arkansas  River,  light  draft 
steamers  have  not  only  run  to  this  point,  but  some 
times  for  nearly  a  hundred  miles  above  here  on  the 
Grand  River.  I  saw  an  inscription  on  a  tombstone  yes 
terday,  that  a  Lieutenant  of  the  Regular  Army  was 
drowned  at  the  mouth  of  the  Neosho  river  in  1836, 
from  having  fallen  overboard  a  steamboat  at  that  point. 
The  point  where  the  military  road  to  Fort  Scott 
crosses  the  Neosho  river  is  nearly  a  hundred  miles 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  211 

from  Gibson.  But  I  have  heard  from  those  who  have 
lived  here  for  many  years,  that  there  has  been  very 
little  steamboating  above  this  place.  There  has  been 
no  great  inducements,  no  great  commercial  interests 
involved,  to  make  it  worth  while  to  keep  the  river  in 
a  navigable  condition.  It  requires  a  considerable  rise 
in  the  Arkansas  to  enable  boats  to  pass  Webber's 
Falls.  Below  that  point  light  draft  steamers  can 
probably  run  on  the  river  the  greater  part  of  the  year. 
How  far  it  is  possible  to  remove  the  obstacles  to  navi 
gation  at  Webber's  Falls,  can  be  determined  only  after 
a  careful  examination  by  an  experienced  and  compe 
tent  engineer.  Navigation  on  the  Arkansas  will 
always  be  troublesome  between  this  place  and  Fort 
Smith,  on  account  of  the  river  constantly  shifting  its 
current,  caused  by  the  formation  of  sand  bars.  It  is 
turbid  and  treacherous,  and  contrasts  strongly  with  the 
Grand  Eiver,  which  is  perfectly  clear  except  during  the 
season  of  heavy  rains,  and  flows  over  a  gravelly  or 
pebbly  bottom.  Both  rivers  abound  in  fish,  and  those 
of  our  soldiers  who  are  fond  of  the  sport  of  angling 
will  doubtless,  when  off  duty,  try  their  skill  at  it  while 
we  are  stationed  here. 

From  the  bluff  we  can  see  a  portion  of  the  territory  of 
the  Creeks  and  Seminoles,  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees. 
We  have  not  as  yet  had  any  loyal  Choctaws  and  Chic 
kasaws  join  us,  though  we  hear  there  are  a  good  many 
among  them  who  would  'prefer  to  cast  their  fortunes 
with  the  Union  if  they  could  have  any  reasonable  as 
surance  of  protection.  As  we  have  come  here  to  stay, 


212  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

they  will  probably  have  ample  opportunity  of  mani 
festing  their  loyal ity  and  devotion  to  the  Government 
by  coming  in  and  surrendering  to  Colonel  Phillips. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Fort  Gibson  the  Key  to  the  Indian  country — The  enemy  show 
ing  signs  of  activity — The  troops  at  Gibson  commence  to 
build  bake  ovens — Anxiety  for  the  supply  train— Creek 
Indians  coming  in — The  enemy  concentrating  at  Webber's 
Falls — Celebrating  the  event  of  hoisting  the  United  States 
Flag  at  Fort  Gibson — A  sad  accident — Arrival  of  supply  train 
from  Fort  Scott — Part  of  Neosho  burned— The  enemy  attack 
Fayetteville  and  are  defeated— A  young  man  as  a  spy  caught 
dressed  in  a  woman's  suit — The  troops  commence  to  throw  up 
fortifications  at  Fort  Gibson— Strength  of  the  Federal  posi 
tion — Engagement  at  Webber's  Falls— Capture  of  the  enemy's 
camp — Assassination  of  Dr.  Gillpatrick — They  are  on  business 
in  connection  with  exchanging  of  prisoners— Arrival  of  rebel 
officers  under  a  flag  of  truce — Reconnoissance  of  Colonel 
Schaurte  to  the  Arkansas  line — Colonel  Harrison  abandons 
Fayetteville — Colonel  Phillips  reviews  his  division. 

The  importance  of  this  position  is  not  likely  at  first 
glance  to  be -fully  appreciated.  It  is  really  the  key  to 
this  entire  Indian  country,  and  great  credit  is 
due  to  Colonel  Phillips  for  having  seized  it  before 
the  enemy  received  reinforcements.  By  throwing  up 
breast  works  and  constructing  fortifications,  we  can 
hold  the  place  against  a  force  of  the  enemy  twice  as 
large  as  our  own,  unless  he  should  be  better  supplied 
with  long-range  artillery  than  we  are.  I  think  that 


214:  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

we  have  also  gained  an  advantage  in  regard  to  obtain 
ing  our  supplies  from  Fort  Scott.  While  we  are 
further  removed  from  our  base  of  supplies,  the  distance 
to  Fort  Scott  from  this  post  by  the  old  military  road 
being  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  our  supply 
trains  after  they  leave  the  southern  line  of  Kansas  will 
move  all  the  way  down  on  the  west  side  of  Grand 
river,  and  therefore  doubtless  be  freer  from  attacks  by 
the  enemy  than  if  they  were  obliged  to  come  down  the 
State  lines  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas.  From  about 
this  time  in  the  spring  until  the  summer  is  considera 
bly  advanced,  it  is  frequently  difficult  for  cavalry, 
artillery  and  infantry  to  cross  Grand  River,  for  a 
distance  of  seventy  to  eighty  miles  above  here,  without 
pontoon  trains,  which  neither  the  enemy  nor  our  army 
in  the  west  possess.  Such  large  trains  as  ours,  are 
unquestionably  coveted  prizes,  which  the  enemy  will 
probably  organize  expeditions  for  the  purpose  of 
capturing  or  destroying.  As  our  trains  will  require 
strong  escorts,  it  is  easy  to  see  that  our  troops  will 
have  no  time  to  spend  in  idleness.  We  can  of  course 
depend  upon  the  country  here  for  nothing  except  fresh 
beef,  and  in  a  few  weeks,  grass  for  our  animals.  Since 
the  enemy  can  hold  no  position  north  of  the  Arkansas 
River,  we  have  already  seen  indications  that  he  is  not 
going  to  remain  inactive  in  this  region  during  the 
spring  and  summer. 

Our  troops  to-day  (14th)  commenced  building  bake 
ovens,  which  indicates  clearly  enough  Colonel  Phillips' 
intention  of  permanently  holding  this  place.  These 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  215 

will  be  the  first  ovens  we  have  put  up  in  the  field. 
They  will  not  only  economize  the  expenditure  of  fuel, 
but  also  enable  the  companies  to  save  more  from  their 
flour  ration  than  they  could  do  by  baking  their  bread 
by  the  old  process ;  besides  the  bread  is  better  and 
considered  healthier.  We  have  men  with  us  who 
were  engaged  in  the  bakery  business  before  enlistment. 
Hence  we  shall  probably  have  as  good  bread  as  is 
usually  made  at  city  bakeries.  But  we  shall  miss  the 
butter  and  eggs  which  we  were  able  to  get  quite  often 
while  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas.  If,  however,  we 
manage  to  keep  on  hand  full  rations  we  shall  have  no 
cause  to  complain  about  our  fare. 

A  detachment  of  ten  men  of  the  Battalion  Sixth 
Kansas  cavalry,  and  about  fifty  Indian  soldiers,  were 
sent  out  to-day  (15th)  in  the  direction  of  Maysville  to 
meet  our  commissary  train  now  due  from  Fort  Scott. 
As  it  was  expected  to  join  us  at  Park  Hill,  and  has  not 
yet  been  heard  from,  some  uneasiness  is  felt  for  its 
safety.  "We  have  been  almost  constantly  on  the  move 
recently,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  escort  has  stopped  it  at  some  point  this  side  of 
Fort  Scott  for  a  day  or  two,  for  more  definite  instruc 
tions  as  to  where  to  join  us.  If  instructions  had  been 
sent  forward  for  it  to  join  us  here  on  the  13th,  it 
would  have  come  down  on  the  west  side  of  Grand 
Kiver,  instead  of  via  Maysville  on  the  State  line  road. 
We  do  not  believe  that  there  is  a  force  of  the  enemy 
north  of  us  of  sufficient  strength  to  venture  to  attack 
the  train.  A  flag  of  truce  came  in  to-day  from  the 


216  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

Creek  Indians  concerning  tneir  coming  in  and  joining 
our  army.  About  fifty  have  already  come  in  since  we 
arrived  here,  and  they  express  their  willingness  to  do 
all  in  their  power  to  establish  law  and  order  and  com 
plete  obedience  to  the  authority  of  the  United  States, 
in  their  country.  Those  just  in  think  that  many  others 
will  come  when  assured  of  protection.  Though  I 
have  not  heard  what  kind  of  speeches  Colonel  Phillips 
makes  to  them,  yet  I  suppose  that  he  informs  them 
that  he  has  come  here  to  afford  protection  to  all  those 
who  are  disposed  to  be  friendly  and  loyal  to  the 
Government,  and  to  make  war  even  to  the  knife  and 
from  the  knife  to  the  hilt  against  its  enemies;  that  we 
are  here  not  for  the  purpose  of  seeking  vengeance  and 
paying  off  old  scores,  but  to  establish  justice  and  the 
harmonious  relations  of  the  people  to  the  Government. 
They  are  no  doubt  informed  that  to  offer  further 
resistance  to  the  Government  is  sure  to  bring  further 
desolation  to  their  country  and  additional  miseries  to 
their  homes.  In  his  speeches  to  the  different  Indian 
delegations  that  have  waited  upon  him,  he  has 
endeavored  to  give  them  good  advice,  which  they  will 
find  it  to  their  interest  to  carefully  consider. 

We  have  information  to-day  (16th,)  from  a  source 
deemed  reliable,  that  the  enemy  are  concentrating  a 
force  of  four  or  five  hundred  men  at  Webber's  Falls, 
about  twenty-five  miles  below  this  post.  As  the  point 
where  they  are  gathering  is  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Arkansas,  and  as  it  is  not  fordable  below  the  mouth 
of  Grand  river,  we  may  not  be  able  to  disturb  them 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  217 

for  a  few  days.  With  a  river  as  large  as  the  Arkansas 
between  them,  two  opposing  forces  may  continue  as 
neighbors  for  some  time.  But  barring  this  obstacle 
there  would  certainly  be  either  a  "fight  or  a  footrace" 
very  soon  with  an  enemy  not  superior  in  numbers  to 
our  command,  encamped  so  near  us  as  Webber's 
Falls. 

Yesterday,  the  17th,  was  given  to  festivities  in  cele 
brating  the  event  of  hoisting  the  Union  Flag  at  the 
military  post  of  Fort  Gibson,  that  it  may  float  from 
the  flag  staff  where  it  was  hauled  down  in  foul  dis 
honor  soon  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  This  is 
the  first  time  that  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  the  emblem  of 
our  nationality,  have  been  hoisted  on  the  post  flag  staff 
since  the  enemy  took  possession  of  the  Government 
property  here,  and  there  were  many  whose  affection 
for  the  Old  Flag  was  so  strong,  that  when  its  folds 
floated  to  the  breeze  they  shed  tears  of  joy.  The  Star 
Spangled  Banner  and  other  national  airs  were  sung  by 
half  a  dozen  ladies  and  gentlemen — several  of  the 
ladies  being  wives  of  officers  on  a  visit  to  their  hus 
bands.  As  an  improvised  choir  they  did  well,  and  their 
voices  sounded  sweetly,  the  balmy  air  of  spring  being 
peculiarly  favorable  for  music,  instrumental  or  vocal, 
to  produce  a  good  effect.  The  solos,  duets,  and  choruses 
were  real  treats,  as  we  have  had  no  music  of  any  kind 
recently.  Last  autumn  and  winter  when  General 
Blunt' s  division  was  all  together,  we  had  two  or  three 
excellent  bands  arid  good  music  every  day.  The  Ninth 
Wisconsin  infantry,  a  German  regiment,  had  perhaps 


218  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

the  best  band  in  the  division,  and  as  they  frequently 
encamped  near  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  I  have  often 
listened  to  it  much  delighted. 

It  becomes  my  painful  duty  now  to  mention  a  serious 
accident  that  occurred  during  our  celebration  yester 
day.  While  Major  Henry  Hopkins'  battery  was  firing 
a  national  salute  of  thirty-four  guns,  one  of  the  pieces 
just  after  it  had  been  swabbed  and  the  blank  cartridge 
rammed  home,  went  off  accidentally  before  the  ram 
mer  was  fully  withdrawn,  and  while  it  was  still  in  the 
hands  of  the  gunner.  One  of  his  arms  was  blown  off 
above  the  elbow,  and  the  other  hand  was  almost  torn 
off,  and  is  now  in  a  dreadfully  mutilated  condition, 
and  will  probably  have  to  be  amputated  in  a  few  days. 
He  was  for  an  instant  enveloped  in  a  flame  of  fire  and 
smoke,  and  is  therefore  badly  burned  about  the  body. 
The  gun  was  pointed  south,  and  I  picked  up,  nearly 
two  hundred  yards  from  it,  two  fingers  and  several 
tendons.  It  is  not  likely  that  the  poor  fellow  will  re 
cover  from  these  injuries.  An  Indian  was  also  fatally 
injured  by  a  piece  of  the  rammer. 

From  my  own  observations  during  the  last  two  years 
I  am  under  the' impression  that  the  number  of  accident 
al  injuries  in  an  army  will  foot  up  a  larger  percentage 
than  is  generally  supposed.  Few  days  pass  that  we 
do  not  hear  of  some  soldier  of  this  command  receiv 
ing  a  serious  accidental  injury  incident  to  the  service. 
Human  foresight  can  never  completely  guard  against 
accidents,  even  of  the  simplest  kind. 

We  hope  that  the  National  Flag  that  we  reverence 


ON  THE  BORDER—  1863. 


and  look  upon  with  such  devotion,  will  never  again  be 
hauled  down  from  the  flagstaff  at  this  post,  by  the 
enemy.  A  general,  whose  soldiers  had  mutinied,  is 
said  to  have  expressed  the  belief  that  if  he  could  only 
look  the  leaders  in  their  eyes,  he  thought  that  they 
would  return  to  "their  allegiance.  So  I  believe  that 
there  are  many  rebels  who,  if  they  could  but  look 
upon  our  beautiful  flag  of  the  Union  as  its  folds  gently 
float  to  the  breeze,  would  gladly  return  to  their  alleg 
iance  to  the  Government. 

The  Creek  Indians  still  continue  to  come  in,  and  are 
generally  anxious  to  enlist  into  our  army.  "While  the 
estimated  number  that  will  probably  come  would  not 
make  a  regiment,  nor  even  a  battalion  ;  they  might  be 
enlisted  into  the  service  and  assigned  to  the  three  Indian 
regiments  of  this  command  until  they  shall  have  been 
filled  to  their  maximum  strength.  There  is  reason  to 
believe  such  a  course  will  be  adopted  by  Colonel  Phil 
lips.  As  most  of  the  men  in  the  First  and  Second 
regiments  are  Creeks  and  Seminoles,  it  is  likely  that 
all  recruits  belonging  to  either  of  these  nations,  would 
prefer  to  be  assigned  to  one  or  the  other  of  these  regi 
ments.  Their  preferences  will  no  doubt  be  respected  as 
far  as  possible. 

A  party  of  about  a  dozen  white  men  who  claim  to 
have  recently  deserted  from  General  Marmaduke's 
command,  came  to  our  pickets  this  morning,  and  were 
brought  into  camp  to  day.  They  represent  that  the 
rebel  leaders  in  Arkansas  are  displaying  a  good  deal 
of  activity  in  organizing  their  demoralized  forces  for 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

the  spring  and  summer  campaigns.  They  say  that 
General  Cooper  will  have  command  of  the  rebel  forces 
in  the  Indian  Territory,  and  that  General  Cabell  will 
"be  assigned  to  the  command  of  "Western  Arkansas, 
but  that  they  will  co-operate  with  each  other  as  far  as 
practicable.  This  all  corresponds  with  the  information 
which  our  spies  have  recently  brought  in. 

Our  commissary  train  of  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  wagons  arrived  this  morning  (20th)  from  FortScott. 
The  slight  anxiety  felt  by  some  of  our  troops  will  now 
be  at  an  end.  It  is  estimated  that  the  supplies  received 
by  this  train  will  ration  this  command  for  upwards  of 
a  month.  On  account  of  some  rumors  that  have  been 
-afloat  for  several  days,  a  detachment  of  two  hundred 
cavalry  was  sent  out  to  escort  it  into  camp.  It  will 
now  be  the  b  usiness  of  the  troops  here  to  keep  the 
-country  open  between  this  post  and  the  southern  line 
of  Kansas.  And  we  feel  satisfied  that  Colonel  Phil 
lips  will  not  be  unmindful  of  his  duty  in  this  respect. 
•Colonel  C.  W.  Blair,  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort 
Scott,  will  probably  furnish  escorts  strong  enough  to 
guard  our  trains  to  Baxter  Springs  or  Neosho  river. 
Should  the  enemy  at  any  time  throw  a  force  between 
this  post  and  either  of  those  points,  with  the  view  of 
attacking  a  train,  Colonel  Phillips  will  reinforce  the 
escort  by  troops  from  this  division.  But  the  main 
body  of  his  troops  will  be  required  for  active  service 
in  this  vicinity  in  contending  with  the  enemy  in  front 
and  around  us. 

This  last  train  came  down  via  Neosho,  Missouri, 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  221 

but  will  return  on  the  old  Military  road,  which  runs 
along  on  the  west  side  of  Grand  River. 

Those  who  came  down  with  the  train  from  Neosho, 
state  that  a  large  portion  of  the  town  was  recently, 
burned.  It  was  not  definitely  known  whether  the 
fire  was  started  accidentally,  or  by  an  incendiary.  It 
was  discovered  after  night,  and  had  make  such  progress 
that  it  could  not  be  checked  with  the  means  the  people 
had  at  hand.  Two  companies  of  the  Missouri  State 
Militia  have  been  stationed  there  since  Colonel  Phillips 
withdrew  his  Indian  troops;  but  one  cannot  easily 
believe  that  there  could  be  found  among  them  an  in 
dividual  who  would  deliberately  attempt  to  burn  a 
town  of  his  own  State;  a  town,  too,  which  he  is  paid 
to  protect. 

The  report  which  reached  here  two  days  ago,  that 
Fayetteville  had  been  taken  on  the  18th  instant  by  a 
rebel  force  of  fifteen  hundred  men,  under  command  of 
General  Cabell,  turns  out  to  be  untrue.  Until  more 
definite  information  reached  here,  some  apprehensions 
were  felt  for  the  safety  of  that  post.  Dispatches  have 
now  been  received,  stating  that  our  troops  there  under 
Colonel  Harrison  had  a  sharp  engagement  with  the 
enemy  under  General  Cabell,  on  the  18th  instant, 
which  lasted  two  hours.  The  enemy  were  unsuccess 
ful  in  the  attack  and  compelled  to  retreat,  leaving  most 
of  their  killed  and  wounded  on  the  field.  From  such 
information  as  I  have  been  able  to  obtain,  our  losses 
were  about  thirty  men  killed  and  wounded,  while  the 
losses  of  the  enemy  were  probably  very  nearly  fifty. 


222  MEMOIRS   OP  THE  REBELLION 

Our  troops  had  some  slight  advantage,  as  they  fought 
part  of  the  time  from  behind  fortifications,  and  were 
on  the  defensive.  The  loyal  Arkansas  soldiers  are  rep 
resented  to  have  acted  with  distinguished  braverv 
throughout  the  contest.  Having  defeated  the  enemy 
In  this  first  important  engagement,  they  will  now  feel 
confident  of  their  strength,  and  in  any  future  contest 
they  may  have, .  defend  their  position  with  greater 
stubbornness  than  if  they  had  been  unsuccessful. 

A  spy  was  caught  to-day  (23d)  near  camp,  dressed  in 
a  woman's  suit.  He  is  a  young  fellow  with  light  hair, 
fair  complexion,  of  a  rather  prepossessing  appearance, 
and  I  should  think  not  over  sixteen  years  of  age.  When 
I  saw  him  in  the  Provost-marshal's  tent  he  seemed  to 
be  badly  frightened,  in  fact  almost  frightened  out  of 
his  wits.  Two  or  three  oificers  were  putting  questions 
to  him  in  regard  to  his  visiting  our  camp  in  disguise, 
but  his  excitement  had  not  sufficiently  subsided  to  en 
able  him  to  give  rational  answers.  He  seemed  ready 
to  confess  anything  asked  of  him.  He  showed  that  he 
was  unaccustomed  to  being  goaded  with  questions  of 
such  a  serious  nature.  From  ancient  times  to  the  pres 
ent  day,  it  has  been  the  practice  of  commanding  gener 
als  of  armies  to  hang  spies  immediately  after  being 
caught,  so  as  to  make  it  impossible  for  the  enemy  to 
gain  any  advantage  from  the  information  which  they 
may  have  obtained.  What  disposition  will  be  made 
of  this  young  man,  has  not  yet  been  determined.  Colo 
nel  Phillips,  as  commanding  officer  of  troops  in  the 
field,  has  authority  to  order  him  tried  by  a  drum-head 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  223 

court  martial,  and,  if  found  guilty,  hung  within  the 
next  twenty-four  hours.  It  is  possible  that  his  youth 
ful  age  may  save  him  from  the  death  penalty  at  pres 
ent,  and  that  he  will  be  turned  over  to  the  Department 
commander,  for  such  punishment  as  he  may  deem 
proper.  He  claims  to  have  been  sent  here  by  General 
Cooper,  who  is  now  encamped  near  "Webber's  Falls, 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  information  in  regard  to  our 
strength  and  intentions  in  the  near  future. 

It  was  by  the  merest  accident  that  he  was  detected. 
"When  several  of  our  Indian  soldiers  first  saw  him  near 
the  limits  of  our  camp,  they  thought  that  he  was  a 
white  woman,  although  there  are  now  very  few  white 
women  in  this  country.  They  also  noticed  that  his 
movements  were  peculiar,  and  not  like  those  of  a  wo 
man,  and  when  they  came  towards  him,  he  started  to 
run,  but  in  the  chase  they  soon  convinced  him  that  his 
onlv  safety  lay  in  his  absolute  submission.  PKs  gar 
ments  were  probably  an  impediment  to  his  flight,  but 
as  our  Indians  are  generally  quite  fleet  of  foot,  they 
would  have  soon  overtaken  him  anyway. 

If  I  were  going  as  a  spy  into  the  enemy's  camp,  to 
dress  in  a  woman's  suit  would  be  about  the  last  method 
I  should  think  of  adopting,  even  if  I  had  as  marked 
feminine  features  as  some  young  men,  which  I  have 
not.  And  as  to  the  time  for  making  such  an  adven 
ture,  I  should  prefer  the  night  to  broad  daylight,  par 
ticularly  if  there  was  any  one  in  the  enemy's  camp 
likely  to  know  me. 

The     engineers    have   surveyed   and   laid   off   the 


224  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

ground  for  the  new  fortifications  at  this  post.  A  line 
of  breastworks  is  to  be  thrown  up  to  encompass  the 
stone  buildings  on  the  bluff,  commencing  on  the  north 
side  and  extending  around  to  the  south  side.  The  west 
side  is  a  steep  bluff  running  down  to  the  water's  edge 
of  the  Grand  Elver.  The  area  to  be  inclosed  on  three 
sides  will  be  about  ten  acres.  Details  of  men  have 
been  made  from  all  the  troops  here,  and  ordered  to  re 
port  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  works  in  the  morn 
ing,  with  picks,  shovels,  &c.  "When  there  does  not  ap 
pear  to  be  any  immediate  danger  from  attack,  soldiers 
do  not  usually  like  to  work  on  fortifications.  As  the 
enemy  are  making  no  threatening  demonstrations,  an 
expression  of  dissatisfaction  may  now  and  then  be 
heard  from  the  men  in  regard  to  slinging  the  pick  and 
shovel.  The  weather  is  beginning  to  get  warm,  and 
such  arduous  labor  is  not  coveted. 

The 'picks  and  shovels  have  now  been  flying  for 
three  days,  and  the  line  of  breastworks  are  rapidly  as 
suming  their  proper  form.  In  examining  the  position 
to-day,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is  not  an 
elevation  so  high  as  the  one  on  which  our  works  are 
being  constructed,  within  a  less  distance  tban  two 
miles  of  us.  To  the  east  and  southeast,  we  could 
easily  sweep  the  plain  with  our  artillery.  To  the  north 
and  northeast,  the  enemy's  infantry,  should  he  make 
an  assault,  would  have  a  better  opportunity  of  ap 
proaching  near  our  works  through,  the  dense  woods 
and  broken  ravines.  But  as  we  shall  have  an  abatis 
over  a  portion  of  this  ground,  we  would  be  able  to  thin 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  225 

the  ranks  of  the  enemy,  should  he  make  an  attack 
from  this  quarter,  before  he  got  through  it,  by  pour 
ing  into  his  advancing  columns,  a  constant  stream  of 
grape  and  canister.  The  heights  on  the  west  side  of 
Grand  River  are  too  distant  for  an  enemy  to  shell  us 
with  much  effect  with  ordinary  field  artillery.  In  a  few 
weeks  therefore  our  position  can  be  made  quite  a  strong 
one.  But  the  presence  of  General  Cabell  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  Cane  Hill  a  few  days  ago,  with  upwards  of  a 
thousand  cavalry;  and  the  force  under  General  Cooper 
near  us  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Arkansas  River,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Webber's  Falls,  looks  as  if  Colonel 
Phillips  will  be  required  to  display  great  firmness  and 
activity,  to  enable  us  to  maintain  our  position  here. 
As  the  enemy  have  two  generals  operating  to  the  south 
and  east  of  us ;  and  as  we  may  suppose  that  each  Gen 
eral  commands  at  least  two  brigades,  we  have  the  pros 
pect  of  being  matched  by  superior  numbers  in  a  few 
weeks.  According  to  a  reasonable  estimate  we  may 
conclude  that  they  could,  in  case  of  emergency,  con 
centrate  a  force  not  much  short  of  seven  thousand  men. 
This  is  fully  twice  the  strength  of  our  troops  at  this 
point. 

On  the  evening  of  the  24th,  Colonel  Phillips  took  a 
force  of  six  hundred  men,  composed  of  details  from 
the  three  Indian  regiments,  and  the  battalion  of  the 
sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  and  crossed  the  Arkansas  River 
several  miles  below  this  post,  and  making  a  night's 
inarch,  reached  Webber's  Falls  early  Saturday  morn 
ing,  and  at  once  commenced  a  vigorous  attack  on  the 
15 


226  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

enemy's  camp.  They  were  taken  by  surprise,  and  fired 
but  few  rounds  when  they  fled  in  disorder  towards 
Fort  Smith  and  North  Fork  town,  where  General 
Cooper's  main  force  is  encamped  and  organizing.  We 
did  not  pursue  them  a  great  distance,  as  our  animals 
were  much  fatigued  from  the  night's  march.  The  ac 
tion  was  sharp  for  a  few  minutes,  when  the  enemy 
broke,  leaving  on  the  field  fifteen  killed  and  as  many 
wounded.  We  had  one  Indian  killed  and  ten  men 
wounded.  But  our  most  serious  loss  was  the  killing, 
or  rather  assassination  of  Dr.  Gilpatrick.  a  special 
agent  of  the  Government,  who  accompanied  us  on  this 
reconnoitering  expedition.  After  the  skirmish  was 
over,  he  was  called  upon  by  a  rebel  woman  to  dress  the 
wound  of  a  rebel  soldier,  who  had  fallen  a  hundred 
yards  or  so  from  where  we  halted.  While  performing 
this  duty  of  mercy  for  a  fallen  foe,  he  was  shot  by  a 
rebel  from  a  concealed  position,  and  he  died  immedi 
ately  afterwards.  We  all  felt  indignant  that  he  should 
have  been  thus  basely  entrapped.  We  brought  him 
back  with  us,  and  he  is  to  be  buried  on  Sunday  with 
military  honors. 

We  captured  a  large  quantity  of  camp  and  garrison 
equipage,  flour,  bacon,  &c.,  and  completely  destroyed 
their  camp.  As  it  was  not  quite  day-break  when  we 
charged  into  them,  a  good  many  fled  in  their  night 
clothes.  They  perhaps  thought  that  we  would  not 
venture  to  cross  the  Arkansas,  as  it  has  not  been  ford- 
able  for  many  days,  and  even  to-day  came  wrell  up  to 
the  sides  of  our  horses.  It  was  a  bold  dash,  and  Colo- 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1868.  227 

nel  Phillips  deserves  great  credit  for  planning  and  suc 
cessfully  executing  the  movement.  This  expedition 
will  have  a  demoralizing  effect  upon  the  enemy,  and 
perhaps  retard  his  organizing  to  take  the  field  against 
us.  To  that  extent  it  is  important. 

While  we  were  absent  on  the  reconnoissance  to 
Webber's  Falls,  two  rebel  officers  came  into  our  camp 
here,  under  a  flag  of  truce  from  General  Cooper,  in 
regard  to  exchanging  prisoners.  They  were  detained 
until  our  return..  We  perhaps  hold  a  few  more  rebel 
prisoners  than  they  hold  of  Federal  prisoners.  They 
are  authorized  to  offer  for  exchange  a  certain  number 
of  our  officers  and  enlisted  men,  for  an  equal  number  of 
their  officers  and  enlisted  men.  These  officers  have 
been  kept  in  close  quarters  since  their  arrival,  and  will 
be  blindfolded  when  they  are  conducted  beyond  our 
lines.  This  precaution  is  deemed  necessary  to  prevent 
them  from  gaming  any  information  in  regard  to  the 
strength  and  disposition  of  our  troops  at  this  post. 

The  same  day  we  left  for  Webber's  Falls,  Colonel 
Phillips  sent  out  Lieutenant-Colonel  F.  W.  Schaurte, 
second  Indian  regiment,  with  about  five  hundred  men, 
in  the  direction  of  Ivansville,  a  little  town  on  the 
Arkansas  line.  Major  Foreman,  with  four  companies 
of  the  Third  Indian  regiment,  a  detachment  from  the 
battalion  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry,  and  a  section  of  Hop 
kins'  battery,  joined  Colonel  Schaurte  beyond  Park 
Hill.  Colonel  Harrison,  commanding  at  Fayetteville, 
was  also  expected  to  join  Colonel  Schaurte  near  the 
State  line.  These  troops  were  to  attack  the  enemy 


228  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

near  Cane  Hill,  if  he  seemed  disposed  to  give  battle. 
But  after  nearly  a  week  of  hard  marching,  the  expedi 
tion  under  Colonel  Schaurte  returned  to  this  post,  hav 
ing  had  only  a  slight  skirmish  with  the  enemy.  The 
troops  were  much  fatigued  and  hungry  when  they 
came  in.  The  last  three  days  they  were  on  less  than 
half  rations.  The  enemy  under  General  Cabell,  when 
they  heard  of  the  approach  of  our  troops,  immedi 
ately  packed  up  their  baggage  and  carnp  equipage,  and 
retreated  towards  Yan  Buren.  They  will,  however, 
doubtless  return  again  shortly,  as  our  troops  have  now 
been  all  withdrawn  from  that  section.  They  will  not 
only  return,  but  they  will  probably  return  and  carry 
their  arms  still  further  north  and  west  until  they  meet 
with  resistance  from  our  forces. 

Colonel  Harrison,  instead  of  joining  Colonel  Schaurte 
at  the  State  line,  abandoned  Fayetteville,  and  retreated 
to  Cassville,  Missouri,  a  small  town  on  the  main  road 
leading  to  Springfield.  It  is  much  regretted  that 
Colonel  Harrison  did  not  display  a  little  more  nerve, 
and  that  he  has  felt  the  necessity  of  abandoning  his 
post,  for  it  leaves  the  Union  people  of  northwestern 
Arkansas  without  any  protection  whatever.  If  his 
supplies  were  running  too  short  to  enable  him  to  stand 
a  seige  of  a  week  or  so,  and  if  he  could  get  no  assur 
ance  of  reinforcements  in  the  event  of  a  seige,  then 
there  may  be  some  justification  for  his  action.  The 
enemy  have  been  reinforced  since  the  engagement  at 
Fayetteville  on  the  18th  instant,  and  he  may  have  felt 
that  there  was  danger  of  being  cut  oft  from  our  troops 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  229 

in  Missouri.  "We  hope  that  his  withdrawal  will  be 
only  temporary,  and  that  he  will  shortly  return,  and 
wipe  out  this  apparent  blot  upon  his  military  record. 
A  good  many  Union  people  in  the  vicinity  of  Fayette- 
ville  had  commenced  to  cultivate  such  tracts  of  land 
as  their  means  permit,  and  without  the  protection  of 
the  Federal  troops,  they  will  hardly  for  the  rest  of  the 
season  be  able  to  give  proper  attention  to  their  crops. 

On  the  30th,  information  reached  this  post,  that  the 
enemy,  considerably  reinforced,  returned  to  Webber's 
Falls,  two  or  three  days  after  we  left,  and  are  now 
driving  out  all  the  Indian  families  in  that  vicinity 
suspected  of  being  in  any  manner  friendly  to  the 
Union  cause.  A  number  of  families  have  just  come 
into  our  lines  for  protection,  and  they  state  that  the 
rebels  have  burned  their  houses  to  prevent  their  re 
turning  to  them.  We  might  in  the  eyes  of  many  justly 
retaliate  by  burning  the  property  of  rebels  in  the  ter 
ritory  occupied  by  our  troops,  but  this  is  not  our  pur 
pose,  to  unnecessarily  increase  the  hardships  of  wo 
men  and  children,  nor  to  destroy  private  property, 
except  in  cases  of  absolute  necessity.  Such  cases  have 
been  extremely  few  as  far  as  this  command  is  con 
cerned. 

We  feel  here  that  the  Department  Commander 
should  not  have  permitted  our  troops  to  leave  Fayette- 
ville,  while  there  were  several  brigades  in  southern 
Missouri  not  very  actively  employed. 

On  May  1st,  Colonel  Phillips  reviewed  his  troops, 
on  the  open  grounds  near  the  Fort.  He  had  in  line 


230  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

upwards  of  two  thousand  men.  The  Indians,  having 
recently  been  furnished  with  new  uniforms,  made  a 
creditable  appearance.  But  with  their  long,  black  hair, 
there  is  a  marked  contrast  between  them  and  our  white 
soldiers,  who  generally  have  their  hair  cut  rather  short, 
besides  it  is  several  shades  lighter  than  the  Indian's 
hair.  The  Indian  soldiers  are  in  good  condition,  and 
though  their  arms  are  not  the  best,  yet  if  handled  to 
the  best  advantage,  may  be  made  quite  effective,  turned 
against  the  enemy. 


CHAPTEK  XII. 

The  author  sent  with  dispatches  to  Colonel  Harrison  at  Cassville, 
Missouri — The  first  night's  march  in  a  storm  of  thunder  and 
lightning — The  next  morning  on  the  battle-ground  of  Locust 
Grove — Account  of  the  battle  and  of  the  capture  of  Colonel 
Clarkson's  command — Passing  over  the  ground  of  an  exciting 
chase  of  last  year — Carnp  in  the  forest — On  the  look  out  for 
the  enemy — In  Missouri— Arrival  at  Cassville — Detention 
at  Cassville — The  troops  there  daily  expecting  to  be  at. 
tacked — Large  number  of  troops,  including  the  State  militia, 
in  Southwest  Missouri — Activity  of  the  militia — The  First 
Kansas  colored  infantry  organized,  and  at  Baxter  Springs — 
Remarks  on  arming  the  freedmen — Many  small  tracts  being 
cultivated  in  Missouri — By  whom — On  the  march  to  Fort 
Gibson — A  fight  with  Guerillas  —Stopping  in  a  lonely  re 
treat — Return  to  Fort  Gibson. 

I  have  already  mentioned  Colonel  Harrison  leaving 
Fayetteville  with  his  troops  and  marching  to  Cassville, 
Missouri.  When  the  information  first  reached  us,  I 
suspected  that  Colonel  Phillips  was  not  entirely  satis 
fied  with  the  movement.  It  has  been  generally  un 
derstood  here  that  the  troops  at  Fayetteville  belonged 
to  Colonel  Phillips'  districts,  and  would  not  be  expect 
ed  to  leave  that  station  without  his  orders. 

Friday  evening,  May  1st,  Captain  William  Gallaher, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General  of  the  division,  sent  for 


232  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

me,  and  stated  that  he  had  an  important  service  which 
he  wanted  me  to  undertake.  He  made  out  an  order 
for  my  detail,  and  also  for  eight  men  to  accompany 
me,  and  sent  it  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
battalion  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry.  We  were  directed  to 
report  at  headquarters  at  nine  o'clock  for  more  difinite 
instructions.  Captain  Gallagher  then  stated  that  he 
had  important  dispatches  which  he  wanted  taken  to 
Colonel  Harrison,  at  Cassville,  Missouri, — a  distance 
of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  by  the  route  we 
would  be  obliged  to  travel.  He  also  said  that  we 
might  consider  ourselves  in  the  enemy's  country  from 
the  time  we  left  Fort  Gibson  until  we  reached  Cass 
ville,  as  we  had  no  troops  stationed  anywhere  in  the 
region  through  which  we  would  be  obliged  to  pass. 
"We  filled  our  cartridge-boxes  with  ammunition  for 
our  carbines  and  revolvers,  and  our  haversacks  with 
hard  bread  and  bacon  for  five  days,  and  put  some 
shelled  corn  in  the  nose-bags  for  our  horses,  and  re 
ported  at  headquarters  as  directed,  to  the  second. 
Captain  Gallagher  delivered  to  me  the  packages,  gave 
us  a  few  words  of  caution,  and  suggested  that  it  would 
be  safest  to  follow  the  road  along  the  east  side  of 
Grand  River  until  we  came  to  Lewis  Ross's  place  near 
Grand  Saline,  some  thirty  miles  above  Fort  Gibson. 
He  then  bade  us  good  night,  and  we  were  soon  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  camp,  wending  our  way  northward, 
on  the  road  above  mentioned.  It  was  cloudy  when 
we  started  out,  and,  during  the  night,  thunder  and 
lightning  and  rain  banished  sleep  from  our  eyes. 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  233 

Some  of  the  great  flashes  of  lightning  seemed  to  fairly 
light  up  the  woods  as  if  they  had  been  on  fire. 
The  heavy  rolling  of  the  thunder,  with  now 
and  then  a  sharp  clap,  was  grand;  but  some  of 
the  men  thought  that  they  should  prefer  to  witness 
and  hear  it  all  in  camp.  The  night  was  so 
dark  and  the  road  so  dim  that  we  gave  the  reins  to 
our  horses,  and  were  guided  by  the  general  course  we 
were  marching.  None  of  us  had  been  over  this  path 
before,  and  there  was  no  pole  star  to  inform  us  how 
far,  at  any  time,  we  were  deviating  from  our  proper 
course.  But  when  the  storm  clouds  of  the  night  had 
passed  over  and  daylight  came,  we  found  that  we  had 
kept  the  most  direct  route,  and  that  we  were  near  Lo 
cust  Grove,  where  we  had  a  fight  with  Colonel  Clark- 
son's  command,  the  2d  of  last  July,  and  captured  him 
with  one  hundred  and  ten  of  his  soldiers,  nearly  all  of 
whom  were  white  men.  "We  also  captured  his  bag 
gage  and  supply  trains,  in  all  upwards  of  one  hundred 
wagons  and  al>out  three  hundred  animals.  Colonel 
William  Weir,  Tenth  Kansas  infantry,  who  com 
manded  the  expedition,  marched  us  two  days  and 
nights,  and  we  struck  the  enemy  just  at  dawn — some 
of  the  brightest  stars  were  still  shining — and  we  had 
him  surrounded  before  he  knew  of  our  presence.  We 
reached  their  camp  right  on  the  heels  of  their  pickets, 
so  that  they  had  no  time  to  form  in  line  and  prepare 
for  battle.  It  was  a  warm  night,  and  only  a  few  of 
them  seem  to  have  slept  with  even  their  trousers  on, 
as  they  did  not  suppose  we  were  within  forty  miles. 


234  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

In  the  engagement  they  lost  about  thirty  men  killed 
and  wounded.  Most  of  the  killed  and  wounded  were 
among  those  who  attempted  to  pass  through  the  open- 
enings  where  our  lines  had  not  quite  closed  up.  We 
had  only  eight  men  wounded.  After  this  affair  the 
troops  of  the  Indian  Expedition  had  no  organized 
force  to  oppose  north  of  the  Arkansas  river.  The 
prisoners  were  sent  to  Fort  Scott,  and  the  train  and 
animals  taken  to  our  camp  on  Cabin  Creek,  a  few 
miles  from  here  on  the  west  side  of  Grand  river. 

The  salt  works  near  here  have  made  this  locality 
one  of  considerable  importance  for  many  years.  Before 
the  war  large  quantities  of  salt  were  taken  from  this 
place  to  various  points  in  southwest  Missouri  and 
northwest  Arkansas,  and  sold  or  exchanged  for  goods 
which  the  Indians  required.  We  passed  several  of  the 
salt  wells  this  morning,  and  they  were  flowing  like 
fountains,  the  column  of  salt  water  in  one  instance 
extending  five  or  six  feet  above  the  ground.  The  wells 
we  saw  were  bored  like  artesian  wells.  We  took  a  few 
moments  to  examine  them,  as  it  would  afford  our  horses 
an  opportunity  to  refresh  themselves  by  rest  and  graz 
ing.  Judging  by  the  openings  and  the  columns  of 
water,  we  estimated  that  the  bore  was  not  more  than 
three  or  four  inches  in  diameter.  If  the  supply  of 
saline  water  is  inexhaustable,  this  will  likely  be  an 
important  point  some  day. 

The  country  is  perfectly  delightful  in  this  vicinity. 
The  forest  trees  and  the  whole  face  of  the  landscape 
are  robed  in  green.  The  sun  shining  above  the  van- 


ON   THE   BORDER-1863.  235 

ishing  storm-clouds,  has  inspired  the  birds  to  singing 
all  the  morning  in  an  exceeding  happy  mood.  We  saw 
a  number  of  species,  some  having  very  elegant  forms 
and  beautiful  plumage.  They  can  have  matters  all  their 
own  way  in  this  region  if  they  can  avoid  their  enemies 
of  the  hawk  tribe,  and  some  wingless  enemies  among 
the  lower  animals,  for  there  are  now  very  few  Indian 
families  living  in  this  section.  When  we  halted  this 
morning  on  a  secluded  spot  near  Locust  Grove,  to 
graze  our  horses  and  to  allow  the  men  to  refresh  them 
selves  by  a  short  nap,  we  had  not  passed  more  than 
three  houses  with  occupants,  since  leaving  Gibson. 
The  country  seems  as  silent  as  a  graveyard,  except  as 
to  the  songs  of  birds  and  the  humming  of  insects. 
No  sounds  are  heard  from  people  plowing  in  the  fields, 
or  the  yelping  of  hounds  chasing  the  deer,  or  of  chick 
ens  cackling  in  the  barnyard.  As  soon  as  it  was  light 
this  morning  we  carefully  examined  the  dim  road  for 
fresh  horse  tracks ;  but  we  saw  none,  which  satisfied 
us  that  the  enemy  had  not  crossed  or  been  on  our  path 
since  the  rain.  We  did  not  know  but  that  the  enemy 
had  sent  out  scouting  parties  to  watch  the  movements 
of  our  trains,  and  that  we  might  run  into  a  detach 
ment  unless  we  were  very  cautious.  As  there  is  a 
good  crossing  of  the  Grand  Eiver  near  Grand  Saline, 
and  as  it  is  always  fordable  after  a  rise  in  the  river, 
before  any  other  point  for  miles  above  or  below,  we 
thought  it  would  be  the  favorite  point  for  the  enemy 
to  strike,  should  they  have  serious  intentions  of  attack 
ing  our  trains. 


236  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

When  we  left  Grand  river  at  Grand  Saline,  we 
marched  across  the  country  in  a  northeast  direction, 
with  the  intention  of  passing  into  Missouri  near 
Scott's  Mills,  on  the  Cowskin  river,  in  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  State.  Our  route  for  the  greater  part 
of  the  day  was  over  a  rough,  hilly  country,  uninhabited 
by  Indian  families.  "When  night  came  we  encamped 
near  Lynch's  Mills  on  Spavinaw  Creek,  about  sixteen 
miles  below  Standwaitie's  Mills.  At  this  place  we 
saw  one  of  our  loyal  Indians,  who  was  at  home  with 
his  family.  He  told  us  that,  about  a  week  ago,  a  party 
of  ten  loyal  Indians,  of  whom  he  was  one,  had  a  fight 
with  about  an  equal  number  of  rebel  Indians,  a  mile 
below  this  place,  and  that  they  killed  half  of  the  rebel 
party,  but  got  four  of  their  own  men  badly  wounded 
in  the  affair.  He  spoke  very  good  English,  and 
seemed  to  be  telling  a  straightforward  story.  A  grain 
of  allowance,  however,  should,  perhaps,  be  made  for 
exaggeration.  But  from  the  information  which  we  re 
ceive  from  time  to  time,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that 
such  bloody  contests  are  quite  common  in  different 
parts  of  the  Nation. 

We  were  in  this  section  last  June  with  Colonel 
Jewell,  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry.  An  incident  oc 
curred  near  here,  which  is  worth  mentioning,  now  that 
were  are  on  the  ground  again.  While  we  were  en- 
encamped  on  Cowskin  prairie  we  received  information 
through  our  scouts  that  Colonel  Standwaitie,  with  a 
force  of  four  or  five  hundred  Indians,  was  in  this 
vicinity.  Colonel  Jewell,  with  about  three  hundred 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  237 

cavalry,  was  directed  by  Colonel  Weer  to  make  a  re- 
connoissance  to  this  point.  We  made  a  night's  march, 
and  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day  we 
heard  that  Standwaitie,  with  a  small  party  of  men,  had 
just  passed  along  the  road  we  were  on,  only  about  an 
hour  before.  "We  pushed  along  with  the  hope  of  over 
taking  them,  and  had  not  marched  many  miles  when  we 
caught  sight  of  him.  He  had  stopped  at  ahouse  on  the 
road  to  get  dinner,  and  some  of  the  party  who  had  not 
dismounted,  having  heard  the  tramping  of  our  horses' 
feet,  gave  the  alarm,  and  they  mounted  their  horses 
and  galloped  away  just  as  we  were  coming  in  sight 
Colonel  Jewell  directed  our  bugler  to  sound  the  gal 
lop,  and  we  chased  them  several  miles,  but  we  soon 
found  that  it  was  useless  to  keep  it  up  further,  as  our 
animals  were  too  much  jaded  to  overtake  their  fresh 
horses.  Standwaitie  was  on  his  way  to  join  Colonel 
Clarkson  at  Locust  Grove,  and  was  taking  it  leisurely. 
But,  as  we  continued  our  march,  we  reached  Locust 
Grove  first,  and  captured  Clarkson  before  he  had  time 
to  receive  reinforcements. 

Sunday  morning,  May  3d,  as  soon  as  the  earliest 
rays  of  the  sun  streaked  the  east  and  the  stars  were 
disappearing,  we  were  up  and  on  the  march.  The  day 
was  lovely,  but  the  country  seemed  like  a  vast  wilder 
ness,  as  no  sounds  greeted  our  ears  or  objects  met  our 
sight,  which  indicated  that  we  were  within  the  limits 
of  civilization.  We  reached  Scott's  Mills  just  before 
sundown,  having  met  with  no  one  during  the  day. 
When  we  struck  the  State  line  road,  a  few  miles  fur- 


238  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

tner  south  of  the  Mills,  we  examined  carefully  again 
for   horse    tracks.      We   saw  some   tracks,   but  they 
.seemed  to  have  been  made  early  in  the  morning,    or, 
perhaps,  the  day  before.      The  tracks  showed  %*t  the 
horses  were  shod  with  shoes  different  from  those  which 
we  use.     The  locality  of  Scott's  Mills  has  been  noted 
for  bushwhackers  since  our  troops  have  occupied  south 
west  Missouri,  and  I  thought  it  best  to  use  such  vigi 
lance  as  would  leave  no  opportunity  for  the  enemy  to 
surprise  us.     We  did  not  stop  at  the  Mills,  but  con 
tinued  our  march  up  the  valley  of  the  Cowskin  Eiver 
until  ten  o'clock,  when  we  turned  aside  from  the  main 
road  into  a  thick  woods,  and  dismounted,  and  picketed 
our  horses  on  a  small  open  spot  where  there   was  fair 
grazing.     After  having  spread  our  blankets  upon  the 
ground,  and  left  two  men  on  guard,  we  threw  ourselves 
down  and  slept  soundly  for  five  hours.  Monday  morn- 
ing,May  4th,  we  were  on  the  march  about  three  o'clock. 
Nothing   occurred  during   the   day,  except  that    we 
passed  a  good  many  more  houses  with  families  living 
in  them  than  the  two  previous  days.      We  were  con 
stantly  on  the  lookout,  however,  feeling  that  we  might 
be  fired  upon  from  the  woods  or  bluiFs  at  almost  any 
moment.     But  we  were  not.      We  encamped  a   few 
miles  east  of  Pineville,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  5th 
we  reached  Cassville,  and  delivered  the  dispatches  and 
packages  to  Colonel  Harrison,  commanding  the  post. 
From  conversations  with  some  of  the  officers  and  sol 
diers  of  the  First  Arkansas  cavalry  here,   it  does  not 
appear  that  he  has  any  intention  of  returning  to  Fay- 
etteville  soon. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  239 

We  find  that  we  shall  be  obliged  to  remain  here 
perhaps  a  week  to  await  dispatches  from  Springfield. 
Colonel  Harrison  will  probably  endeavor  to  justify 
his  action  before  the  Department  Commander.  We 
think  that  he  has  laid  himself  open  to  charges  and 
specifications  and  a  trial  by  Court  Martial.  But  the 
detention  is  fortunate  for  us  in  some  respects;  for  if 
we  should  start  back  immediately,  it  is  doubtful 
whether  all  our  horses  would  be  able  to  make  it 
through  to  Fort  Gibson.  A  week's  rest,  with  such  at 
tention  as  we  shall  endeavor  to  give  them,  will  enable 
them  to  recuperate  considerably,  and  we  hope  suffi 
ciently  to  carry  us  through  when  we  get  ready  to 
start  back. 

The  troops  here  are  daily  expecting  to  be  attacked 
by  the  enemy,  but  from  what  I  can  hear  I  don't  believe 
that  the  officers  have  such  definite  information  in  re 
gard  to  the  strength  and  movements  of  the  enemy,  as 
to  warrant  the  belief  that  any  immediate  danger  need 
be  apprehended.  As  we  have  just  passed  over 
a  region  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  unoc 
cupied  by  our  troops,  it  is  perhaps  safe  to  say 
that  it  is  also  unoccupied  by  any  forces  of  the 
enemy  other  than  bands  of  guerrillas  and  bush 
whackers.  Colonel  Harrison,  it  would  seem,  is  need 
lessly  nervous,  and  his  nervousness  may  be  slightly 
contagious. 

I  find  that  we  have  a  good  many  troops  in  South 
west  Missouri.  Colonel  T.  T.  CriUenden,  of  the 
Seventh  Missouri  Militia  cavalry,  has  eight  hundred 


24:0  MEMOIKS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

men  and  two  pieces  of  the  Second  Indian  battery, 
stationed  at  Newtonia,  twenty-five  miles  northwest  of 
Cassville.  From  all  accounts  he  is  an  active  and  en 
ergetic  officer,  and  is  doing  good  service  for  the  State. 
There  are  also  fortifications  and  a  block  house  at  New- 
tonia,  so  that  the  principal  part  of  the  cavalry  force 
stationed  there  can  be  kept  in  the  field.  Two  com 
panies  of  the  Eighth  Missouri  State  Militia  cavalry, 
are  stationed  at  Neoslio,  under  Captain  Milton  Burch, 
one  of  the  most  efficient  officers  in  Southwest  Mis 
souri.  There  are  also  several  companies  stationed  at 
Mount  Yernon,  thirty  miles  northeast  of  this  place, 
and  at  Springfield  there  are  probably  between  three 
and  four  thousand  effective  troops. 

The  Missouri  State  troops  are  well  armed,  mounted 
and  equipped,  and  should  be,  and  I  believe  are,  effect 
ive  troops  in  the  service  of  the  State.  They  could,  no 
doubt,  maintain  order  in  this  State  and  suppress  guer 
rilla  warfare,  if  our  volunteer  forces  would  take  more 
advanced  positions  and  prevent  invasion  of  the  State 
by  an  organized  army  of  the  enemy. 

It  was  reported  the  day  after  our  arrival,  that  Colonel 
Cloud,  with  a  force  of  two  thousand  men  and  a  battery 
of  light  artillery,  was  to  leave  Springfield  immediately 
for  this  point.  But  he  has  not  put  in  an  appearance 
yet.  He  has  probably  marched  in  some  other  direct 
ion.  There  does  not  seem  to  be  any  hope  of  being 
able  to  accompany  our  troops  as  far  as  Fayetteville  on 
our  return. 

We   hear   every   day  of    the   Militia   scouting  the 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  241 

'  country  and  skirmishing  with  bushwhackers.  At  a 
distance  one  might  think  that  they  have  very  little  to 
do.  But  they  are  constantly  moving.  The  command 
ing  officer  of  a  post,  for  instance,  receives  information 
of  the  presence  of  a  party  of  guerrillas  in  a  certain 
locality  so  many  miles  to  the  southeast,  and  of  another 
party  at  another  place  so  many  miles  to  the  south 
west.  A  detachment  of  cavalry  must  at  once  be  sent 
out  in  each  case.  They  may  01  they  may  not  find 
the  enemy. 

Thus  they  are  kept  employed,  performing  a  great 
amount  of  service  with  very  small  results,  if  we  take 
into  account  the  operations  of  the  troops  from  only  a 
single  post.  If,  however,  we  look  at  the  operations  of 
the  Militia  forces  over  the  State,  we  find  that  the  re 
sults  are  not  trifling.  Taking  into  account  the  num 
ber  of  men  in  active  service,  it  is  claimed  that  their 
percentages  of  losses  in  killed  and  wounded,  are  as 
high  as  the  percentage  of  casualties  among  volunteer 
troops  in  the  field.  While  this  may  not  be  quite  true, 
I  have  no  doubt  that  their  annual  losses  foot  up  a  high 
percentage. 

Information  has  been  received  here  that  the  First 
Kansas  Colored  regiment  has  completed  its  organiz 
ation,  and  is  now  stationed  at  Baxter  Springs,  under 
command  of  Colonel  James  M.  "Williams.  Kansas 
now  has  the  honor  of  organizing  the  first  Colored  regi 
ment  for  service  in  the  war.  This  is  highly  gratifying 
and  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  spirit  and  tradition 
of  her  people,  who  have  ever  been  on  the  side  of  jus- 
16 


.242  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

tice  in  regard  to  the  question  of  slavery.  It  is  surely 
fitting  that  they  should  take  the  lead  in  organizing  the 
late  slaves  for  the  defence  of  the  Government  and  for 
perpetuating  their  own  freedom.  It  will  now  not  be 
many  months  before  we  shall  hear  of  the  organization 
of  Colored  regiments  all  over  those  sections  of  the 
South  occupied  by  our  troops.  I  have  no  doubt  but 
that  they  will  give  a  goo*d  account  of  themselves 
when  they  come  to  meet  the  enemy  on  the  field.  The 
impropriety  of  arming  them  against  their  late  masters 
may  be  talked  of  by  those  who  would  fight  the  enemy 
with  kid  gloves,  and  without  trying  to  hurt  him ;  but  not 
by  those  who  are  in  earnest  about  carrying  the  war 
through  to  a  successful  conclusion,  by  every  legitimate 
means  recognized  by  civilized  nations.  There  will 
perhaps  always  be  in  society,  even  of  the  most  advanced 
type,  a  conservative  party  that  will  reluctantly  take  a 
step  forward  in  the  moral  and  social  progress  of  their 
time.  Its  function  is  a  proper  one,  and  it  is  no  more 
than  we  should  expect,  to  find  this  spirit  of  conservat 
ism  displayed  at  such  a  time  as  the  present.  But  the 
great  common  sense  of  our  people  must  relegate  that 
phase  of  it  which  opposes  the  arming  of  the  freed  - 
mento  the  region  where  all  the  barbarisms  which  we 
have  outgrown,  are  buried.  Many  of  us  may  live  to 
see  the  day  when  many  of  those  who  are  now  doing 
their  best  to  keep  social  and  moral  progress  from  break 
ing  over  ancient  landmarks,  will  wonder  how  it  was 
that  they  held  such  views. 

But  to  return  to  the  colored  troops  at  Baxter  Springs. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  243 

Though  they  may  be  of  some  service  at  that  point  in 
affording  protection  to  our  supply  trains,  it  is  to  be 
regretted  that  they  were  not  sent  on  to  Fort  Gibson, 
as  the  situation  is  getting  such  that  they  are  much 
needed  there.  It  is  also  reported  that  they  are  building 
a  small  fort  at  Baxter,  and  that  they  have  already  had 
several  skirmishes  with  Livingston's  band  of  guerillas, 
whose  operations  are  chiefly  confined  to  that  section. 
Stationed  inside  of  fortifications  properly  supplied  with 
water  and  rations  and  ammunition  for  a  month,  two 
companies  of  infantry  ought  to  be  able  to  hold  the 
place  against  any  force  of  guerrillas  likely  to  attack 
it.  The  guerrilla  leaders  in  that  section  declare  that 
they  will  not  take  the  colored  soldiers  nor  the  officers 
under  whom  they  are  serving,  as  prisoners  of  war.  If 
the  enemy  really  intend  to  murder  all  colored  soldiers 
and  their  officers  who  fall  into  their  hands,  they  cannot 
justly  complain  if  the  colored  troops  retaliate  the  first 
opportunity,  which  might  not  be  long  delayed.  Men's 
evil  actions  frequently  return  upon  them  with  com 
pound  interest,  when  least  expected.  And  so  it  may 
be  in  this  case.  The  enemy  may  be  inventing  the 
means  of  his  own  destruction.  Seeing  that  it  is  pos 
sible  that  they  are  turning  their  swords  against  their 
own  breasts,  and  that  they  may  suffer  most  by  the 
barbarous  acts  which  they  propose  to  put  into  effect, 
they  may  reconsider  the  matter. 

In  addition  to  the  infantry,  there  should  be  two  com 
panies  of  cavalry  stationed  at  Baxter  to  scout  the  coun 
try  thoroughly.  The  enemy,  it  is  not  likely,  will  care 


244  MEMOIRS   OF  THE  REBELLION 

much  for  a  small  infantry  force  at  that  station,  as  they 
can  play  around  it  even  in  sight,  so  long  as  they  keep 
out  of  range  of  the  infantrymen's  muskets 

General  F.  J.  Herron's  two  divisions  of  the  Army 
of  the  Frontier,  which  were  with  us  at  the  battle  of 
Prairie  Grove,  have  been  ordered  to  join  General 
Grant's  army  now  besieging  Yicksburg.  These  troops, 
during  the  last  three  months,  have  been  operating  along 
the  southern  counties  of  Missouri,  but  recently  they 
moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Holla.  General  Herron  is  a 
gallant  officer,  and  commands  troops  that  have  already 
made  a  glorious  record.  They  are  now  entitled  to  have 
Prairie  Grove  inscribed  upon  their  victorious  banners, 
and  in  a  few  months  they  will  probably  have  Yicks 
burg  added. 

A  detachment  of  the  State  Militia  had  a  skirmish 
with  a  squad  of  guerrillas  on  the  9th  at  Gad  Fly,  a 
small  place  about  half  way  between  Cassville  and 
Newtonia,  resulting  in  the  wounding  of  three  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  capture  of  their  horses,  saddles  and 
equipage,  together  with  two  negroes.  Slavery  is 
unquestionably  getting  to  be  an  expensive  and 
troublesome  luxury,  when  the  masters  are  obliged  to 
take  their  slaves  around  with  them  through  the  woods 
and  over  the  hills,  as  they  move  from  place  to  place. 
When  it  comes  to  this  any  man  of  sound  mind  ought 
to  know  that  slavery  is  dead.  There  are  not  many 
grown  up  negroes  in  this  section,  who  are  not  half  idiots 
or  old  and  infirm,  who  will  not  likely  soon  relieve  their 
masters  of  the  trouble  of  pulling  them  around  from 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  245 

place  to  place,  by  running  away  and  joining  their 
friends.  Nearly  all  the  negroes  of  this  section  gained 
their  freedom  when  our  troops  came  through  here  a 
year  ago.  A  few,  particularly  old  ones,  and  children 
who  had  no  parents,  however,  are  still  with  their 
master's  families  on  the  homesteads. 

Since  we  came  into  Missouri  I  have  noticed  that  a 
good  many  farms  are  being  cultivated.  Of  course 
there  are  very  few  families  that  will'  be  able  to  till  all 
the  land/ which  they  once  had  under  cultivation,  for 
they  cannot  keep  the  animals  and  get  the  hands  Acces 
sary  to  do  it.  They  have,  in  many  instances,  used  the 
rails  not  destroyed  by  the  armies  to  inclose  such  tracts 
as  they  will  be  able  to  put  under  cultivation.  "We  saw 
a  number  of  fields  the  other  day  where  the  corn  was 
coming  up  and  was  an  inch  or  so  high.  There  will  be 
very  little  wheat  raised  in  southwest  Missouri  this 
season,  for  during  the  season  of  sowing  last  autumn, 
the  country  was  too  much  overrun  by  the  armies  to 
permit  the  people  to  work  in  the  fields.  On  most  of 
the  farms  the  people  have  not  finished  planting  their 
corn  yet.  In  nearly  every  case  where  we  saw  them  at 
work,  the  daughters  or  mothers  were  dropping  the 
corn,  as  they  call  it,  and  the  boys  too  young  for  the 
war,  were  plowing  it  in  or  covering  it  with  hoes.  It 
the  season  is  good,  a  surplus  of  corn  will  be  raised, 
particularly  in  the  neighborhoods  of  posts  garrisoned 
by  our  troops.  As  no  family  is  permitted  to  keep 
much  stock,  very  little  of  their  corn  will  be  fed  to 
their  own  animals.  But  all  they  have  to  spare  will 


246  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

doubtless  bring  a  fair  price  if  sold  to  our  troops,  pro 
vided  it  is  not  taken  before  being  sold.  Fruits  are 
quite  an  item  in  the  foodstuffs  consumed  by  the  people 
of  this  country ;  and  there  is  good  prospect  of  an  abun 
dant  yield  of  apples,  peaches,  pears,  &c.,  this  season. 
When  our  division  was  encamped  near  this  place  last 
October,  many  of  the  company  messes  exchanged  their 
surplus  rations  of  coffee  and  tea  for  dried  apples  and 
peaches,  honey,  &c.  Nearly  every  family  formerly  had 
from  half  a  dozen  to  several  dozen  stands  of  bees. 

The  women  of  southwest  Missouri  surely  deserve 
mention  for  their  noble  conduct  in  sticking  to  their 
homesteads  and  maintaining  themselves  and  their  chil 
dren  in  the  absence  of  their  husbands  and  fathers  and 
brothers  in  the  war.  If  I  were  gifted  with  elegant 
expression,  nothing  could  afford  me  greater  pleasure 
than  to  pay  them  the  highest  possible  tribute  for  their 
truly  womanly  characters  under  the  most  trying  cir 
cumstances.  With  their  youthful  sons  and  daughters 
they  raise  their  own  foodstuffs,  and  in  many  instances 
spin  and  weave  and  manufacture  most  of  their  own 
clothing.  A  good  many  raise  small  patches  of  cotton, 
from  which  they  spin  and  weave  their  cotton  goods, 
and  keep  a  few  sheep,  the  wool  from  which  they  make 
their  woolen  clothing.  There  are  men  now  and  then 
found  of  loquacious  tongues,  who  speak  disparagingly 
and  lightly  of  these  people  because  they  wear  "home 
spun  clothing,"  and  do  not  appear  quite  so  polished  as 
those  bi  ought  up  in  polite  society.  In  all  this  I  see  a 
grand  simplicity  and  beauty,  for  the  women  are 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  247 

extremely  modest.  Their  fair  laces  are  set  well  back 
under  their  sunbonnets,  and  no  one  who  loves  to  speak 
the  truth  would  claim  that  they  are  forward  and  bold 
in  their  actions.  It  is  often  remarked  that  they  are 
so  shy  of  strangers  that  they  will  not  ask  our  officers 
for  pay  or  receipts  for  forage,  horses,  or  commissary 
supplies  taken  from  them.  They  generally  have  pleas 
ant,  honest  expressions,  but  often  bearing  a  tinge  of 
sadness.  Though  surrounded  by  adversities  of  every 
kind,  they  endeavor  to  preserve  their  complexions. 
Probably  no  section  containing  the  same  number  of 
women,  would  show  a  larger  proportion  who  possess 
as  good  figures  and  features  and  complexions.  I  have 
observed  them  closely,  for  often  on  scouting  expedi 
tions  and  on  the  march,  I  have,  in  company  with 
others,  rode  up  to  the  well  or  spring  to  fill  our  can 
teens  with  water,  or  to  the  gate  to  make  enquiries. 
Hence  I  have  seen  them  as  they  appeared  at  home  in 
their  every -day  life. 

Well,  this  is  13th  day  of  May,  and  the  last  day  we 
shall  lounge  around  the  old  brick  Court  House  at  Cass- 
ville.  The  dispatches  and  mail  have  arrived  from 
Springfield ;  our  horses  have  rested  and  fared  moder 
ately  well  in  regard  to  forage,  and  we  now  leave  for 
Fort  Gibson.  We  have  found  the  loyal  Arkansas 
soldiers  very  clever;  have  had  full  rations,  while  stop 
ping  with  them,  and  our  haversacks  replenished  for  our 
return.  When  we  arrived  here,  we  felt  sure  that  four 
days  on  hard  bread  and  bacon  had  not  quite  kept  us 
up  to  our  usual  standard  of  strength  and  activity. 


248  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

Going  without  the  good  strong  coffee  which  we  have 
in  camp,  no  doubt  had  a  depressing  effect  upon  our 
nervous  systems.  Though  we  each  took  a  quantity  of 
ground  coffee  in  our  haversacks,  we  did  not  take  the 
trouble  to  kindle  a  fire  every  day  and  make  coffee  on 
the  route.  Every  soldier  has  perhaps  noticed  how  a 
good  cup  of  coffee,  alter  a  night's  marching,  tones  up 
his  nervous  system  and  makes  him  feel  a  livelier  inter 
est  in  everything  around.  We  sometimes  fill  our 
canteens  with  coffee  before  starting  out  on  a  recon- 
noissance  of  several  days;  but  it  is  not  satisfactory  to 
drink  it  in  this  way.  We  miss  that  fine  flavor  or  bou 
quet  which  we  get  when  it  is  taken  fresh  from  the 
camp  kettles. 

There  is  no  further  talk  of  the  enemy  attacking  the 
troops  at  Cassville,  nor  do  they  propose  to  return  to 
Fayetteville  until  they  are  reinforced  from  Springfield. 

Nothing  of  interest  occurred  the  first  day  of  our 
return  march,  but  the  second  day,  between  Pineville 
and  Scott's  Mills,  we  saw  eight  or  ten  armed  men  on 
horse-back  coming  towards  us,  dressed  in  butter-nut 
suits,  whom  we  supposed  were  bush-whackers.  As 
soon  as  they  saw  and  carefully  observed  our  blue  uni 
forms,  they  fired  a  volley  at  us  from  their  shotguns, 
making  the  brush  rattle  around  us,  and  then  instantly 
wheeled  about  and  galloped  back  a  hundred  yards  or  so 
and  took  a  road  which  crosses  ours  at  nearly  right 
angles.  We  threw  our  right  hands  to  our  carbines  and 
raised  them,  and  discharged  a  volley  at  the  flying  horse 
men,  but  as  they  were  upwards  of  a  hundred  yards  away 


ON  THE  BOEDER— 1863.  249 

9 

when  we  fired,  we  could  not  determine  whether  the  balls 
from  our  carbines  took  effect  or  not.  Upon  firing  we 
dashed  forward,  but  when  we  came  to  the  point  where 
the  road  they  took  crossed  ours,  they  had  disappeared 
in  the  dense  woods.  We  continued  our  march,  kept 
our  eyes  open,  but  did  not  exert  our  horses,  as  we  were 
desirous  of  preserving  their  strength  in  case  of  an 
emergency,  as  a  long  journey  yet  lay  before  us.  After 
passing  Scott's  Mills  we  did  not  take  the  same  path 
through  the  Nation  tliat  we  came  up  on,  but  one  about 
ten  miles  to  the  South  of  it,  as  it  would  shorten  our 
route  considerably.  We  then  struck  Grand  River  about 
eight  miles  above  Grand  Saline.  The  grass  had  grown 
astonishingly  since  we  came  up,  and  we  had  no  trouble 
in  getting  good  grazing  for  our  horses  wherever  we 
stopped. 

On  the  way  up  and  returning,  we  made  it  a  rule  to 
stop  in  some  lonely  retreat  at  about  ten  o'clock,  and 
rest  and  graze  our  animals  for  two  or  three  hours,  and 
then  resume  the  march  and  stop  again  at  five  o'clock 
for  two  hours,  resume  the  march  and  halt  again  at  ten 
at  night,  and  start  the  next  morning  between  three  and 
four  o'clock.  Our  animals  stood  this  long  and  tedious 
journey  quite  well,  and  in  the  course  of  a  week  will  be 
able  to  take  their  places  beside  other  cavalry  horses  on 
the  march  or  on  the  scout.  We  arrived  at  Fort  Gibson 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  16th,  having  been  absent  up 
wards  of  two  weeks.  It  was  a  real  pleasure  to  see  the 
familiar  faces  and  shake  the  hands  of  our  comrades. 
We  were  congratulated  on  our  safe  return,  as  the 


250  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

enemy  have  moved  up  in  sight  of  the  Fort,  and  are 
getting  quite  bold  of  late.  There  will  be  a  hiatus  in 
my  account  of  the  operations  of  this  command  during 
the  last  two  weeks;  but  nothing  has  occurred  particu 
larly  worth  mentioning,  and  we  have  had  an  oppor 
tunity  of  glancing  at  operations  along  the  border. 


CHAPTEK  XIII. 

The  enemy  occupying  the  heights  south  of  the  Arkansas  River  in 
sight  of  Fort  Gibson — Picket  firing  across  the  river  all  day 
long — Strength  of  General  Cooper's  force— He  is  preparing  to 
capture  Colonel  Phillips'  supply  train — Name  of  post  of  Fort 
Gibson  changed  to  Fort  Blunt — Colonel  Phillips  contending 
single-handed  withf  two  Generals  of  the  enemy — Hard  ser 
vice  for  the  cavalry — Capture  of  horses  and  mules  from  the 
enemy — Activity  in  the  enemy's  camp — The  enemy  kill  the 
Federal  pickets,  and  capture  a  good  many  animals — The  bat 
tle — Enemy  driven  from  the  field  and  pursued — Recapture  of 
some  animals — Large  force  of  the  enemy  cross  the  Arkansas 
River,  and  march  to  meet  the  Federal  supply  train — Convales 
cent  soldiers  coming  in  from  Tahlequah — The  troops  move 
inside  the  fortifications  at  Fort  Gibson — The  engagement  at 
Rapid  Ford,  Sunday  afternoon — Colonel  Phillips  intended  the 
movement  only  as  a  demonstration. 

After  returning  to  my  post  of  duty  at  Gibson,  I 
found  that  the  enemy  had  become  much  bolder  than 
when  we  left  on  the  night  of  the  first  instant.  They 
have  moved  all  the  forces  from  the  neighborhoods  of 
Webber's  Falls,  North  Fork  and  other  points  in  the 
Indian  Territory  to  the  heights  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Arkansas  River,  nearly  opposite  the  post,  and  not  more 
than  five  or  six  miles  away.  During  the  entire  day, 
at  intervals  of  a  few  minutes,  we  heard  the  firing  be- 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

tween  their  pickets  and  ours  across  the  river.  This 
•skirmishing  between  the  picket  lines  of  the  two  armies 
has  been  going  on  several  days.  Three  or  four  of  our 
soldiers  have  been  killed  and  wounded,  and  it  is  be 
lieved  fully  as  many  of  the  enemy,  as  we  have  the  best 
arms.  The  heavy  timber  on  both  sides  of  the  Arkan 
sas  affords  both  parties  a  convenient  shelter  from  the 
-effects  of  each  other's  arms.  A  man  cannot  show 
himself  many  seconds  without  being  fired  upon.  His 
chances  of  being  struck  depends  upon  the  distance 
which  separates  him  and  the  foe,  the  marksmanship  of 
the  party  firing,  the  gun  and  its  range.  Our  carbines, 
by  raising  the  sights  to  the  outside  limit,  will  carry  a 
ball  to  the  mark  about  a  thousand  yards.  The  Arkan 
sas  River  is  not  quite  that  wide  at  any  point  within 
ten  miles  of  here.  The  enemy,  therefore,  after  they 
get  the  approximate  range  of  our  carbines,  will  not 
likely  very  often  venture  inside  of  this  range.  If  they 
do  they  are  sure  to  be  brought  down.  General  Cooper 
seems  to  have  command  of  all  the  rebel  troops  opera 
ting  against  us,  and  they  are  reported  to  be  composed 
mainly  of  Texans  and  Indians,  estimated  at  from  five  to 
seven  thousand  men,  with  one  or  two  batteries  of  artil 
lery.  Our  scouts  report  that  some  two  days  ago  they  sent 
out  two  strong  reconnoitering  forces  of  cavalry;  that 
one  of  these  forces  crossed  the  river  below  here  for  the 
purpose  of  going  up  on  the  east  side  of  the  Grand 
River,  and  that  the  other  force  crossed  the  Arkansas 
and  Verdigris  Rivers,  some  seven  or  eight  miles  above 
this  post,  for  the  purpose  of  going  up  on  the  west  side 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  253- 

of  Grand  River,  with  the  view  of  forming  a  junction, 
near  Cabin  Creek,  and  attacking  our  supply  train,, 
which  is  expected  down  from  Fort  Scott  in  a  few  days.. 
If  the  force  really  went  up  on  the  east  side  of  Grand 
River,  we  must  have  passed  very  near  it  some  time 
yesterday  when  on  the  way  here  with  dispatches  and 
mail  from  Cassville.  Everything  indicates  that  we 
shall  have  a  lively  time  about  here  in  a  few  days. 
Whether  very  large  forces  of  the  enemy  have  crossed 
the  river  yet  or  not,  there  are  certainly  strong  reasons 
for  believing  that  they  are  making  preparations  to 
attack  our  train  at  some  point  above  here.  The  heavy 
firing  along  the  river  the  past  few  days  is  doubtless 
intended  as  a  feint,  to  occupy  our  attention,  and  to 
prevent  us  from  reinforcing  the  train's  escort.  But 
they  will  find  that  Colonel  Phillips  is  not  so  easily  to 
be  thrown  off  his  guard. 

The  name  of  this  post  has  been  changed  from  Fort 
Gibson  to  Fort  Blunt,  in  honor  of  Major  General  James 
G.  Blunt,  our  division  commander  of  last  winter,  but 
who  is  at  present  commanding  the  District  of  Kan 
sas.  If  Fort  Blunt  is  not  to  be  abandoned  almost  as 
soon  as  named,  the  General  should  use  his  influence  in 
getting  reinforcements  sent  down  here  at  once,  and  in 
having  Colonel  Phillips  made  a  Brigadier  General.  Af 
ter  the  Colonel  has,  by  continual  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy,  marched  his  forces  down 'here  and  £<%>&  posses 
sion  of  this  country,  and  held  it  against  such  odds,  and 
so  much  further  in  advance  of  all  other  Federal  troops 
in  the  west,  it  would  be  manifestlv  unjust  to  send  an. 


254  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

officer  down  here  who  would  rank  him.  Nor  do  we  be 
lieve  that  if  the  War  Department  could  see  the  pres 
ent  state  of  things  in  their  true  light,  that  it  would 
permit  him  to  be  robbed  of  his  hard-earned  honors; 
but  that  it  would  send  him  reinforcements,  and  a  com 
mission  appropriate  to  his  command.  The  command 
to  which  he  has  been  assigned  is  really  a  recognition 
of  his  ability  and  merit.  I  have  already  mentioned  that 
since  he  captured  this  isolated  station  in  the  enemy's 
country,  he  has  had  two  of  the  enemy's  generals  to 
contend  with,  one  of  whom  may  be  a  Major  General. 
The  active  service  during  the  winter  and  spring, 
with  inadequate  forage,  has  put  our  cavalry  horses  in 
bad  condition  for  the  service  now  required  of  them. 
All  the  animals  in  camp  we  are  obliged  every  day  to 
send  out  on  the  prairie,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Fort, 
under  guard,  to  graze.  They  are  generally  sent  out 
in  several  herds  to  different  localities.  The  plain  is 
now  pretty  much  denuded  of  grass  for  a  mile  or  so  of 
camp,  so  that  the  horses  must  be  taken  somewhat  be 
yond  this  limit.  They  are  taken  out  every  morning 
at  daybreak  and  driven  in  at  night,  Perhaps  nearly 
half  of  our  cavalry  horses  are  kept  out  in  this  way, 
while  the  other  half  are  used  by  our  troops  in  watch 
ing  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  on  reconnoissances, 
&c.  While  animals  will  fatten  on  grass  when  they 
get  it  in  sufficient  quantities  and  are  not  annoyed  by 
flies,  it  alone  does  not  afford  such  nutritive  and 
strength-giving  qualities  as  will  enable  our  horses  to 
do  hard  service,  such  as  is  required  of  them. 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  255 

A  detachment  of  about  four  hundred  of  our  cavalry 
which  were  sent  on  areconnoissanceon  the  18th,  in  the 
direction  of  the  Creek  Agency,  on  south  side  of  the  Ar 
kansas,  captured  about  sixty  head  of  horses  and  mules 
from  General  Cooper's  command.  This  bold  movement 
of  our  troops  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,will  probably 
prevent  the  enemy  from  sending  as  large  a  force  as  he 
had  intended  to  attack  our  supply  train.  Should  they 
leave  their  camp  guarded  by  only  a  small  force,  Colonel 
Phillips  might  take  it  into  his  head  to  take  a  force  of 
cavalry  and  cross  the  Arkansas  at  the  Rapid  Ford 
five  miles  below  this  post,  and  make  a  dash  on  it,  with 
the  view  of  capturing  or  destroying  it.  Though  they 
probably  keep  a  small  force  near  the  ford,  we  could 
probably  shell  them  out,  and  cross  without  serious  loss. 
But  we  cannot  afford  to  make  a  movement  that  will 
endanger  our  train.  From  the  roof  of  one  of  the 
buildings  inside  our  fortification,  with  a  field  glass, 
we  can  see  very  near  the  enemy's  camp.  The  clouds 
of  dust  that  we  saw  this  afternoon,  at  several  points 
on  the  opposite  heights,  clearly  indicates  that  he  is 
making  some  important  movement.  A  large  cavalry 
force  was  in  motion,  but  we  could  not  determine  the 
direction  they  were  marching.  The  river  is  now 
quite  low,  and  there  are  several  points,  both  above  and 
below  us,  where  they  can  ford  it.  It  is,  I  suppose, 
difficult  for  Colonel  Phillips  to  determine  the  nature 
of  their  present  activity ;  whether  it  means  to  attack 
us  here,  or  to  go  up  the  country  west  of  us,  and  attack 
our  train  due  in  a  few  days  from  Fort  Scott. 


256  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

To-day,  the  20th,  I  have  been  out  nearly  all  day 
with  our  troops.  This  morning,  just  before  nine 
o'clock,  several  of  our  men  came  in  as  fast  as  their 
horses  could  carry  them,  and  reported  that  the  enernv 
were  firing  upon  our  pickets,  and  had  killed  several  of 
them,  together  with  a  number  of  herders,  and  were 
driving  away  one  or  two  herds  of  horses  and  mules. 
The  bugles  were  instantly  sounded,  and  inafewmom- 
ments  Colonel  Phillips  had  nearly  all  his  force,  con 
sisting  of  cavalry,  dismounted  men,  and  tvvo  guns  of 
Captain  Hopkins'  battery  out  on  the  plain,  about  a 
mile  east  of  the  fort.  He  immediately  formed  his 
line  and  sent  out  a  detachment  of  cavalry  to  the  north 
east  of  his  position  as  skirmishers,  and  soon  discovered 
that  the  enemy,  in  considerable  force,  had  formed 
under  cover  of  a  rather  dense  woods,  about  a  half-mile 
almost  directly  east  of  us.  The  section  of  artillery 
brought  out  from  the  fort  was  directed  to  open  fire 
upon  the  enemy.  After  a  half  dozen  rounds  of  shells 
had  been  thrown  into  the  woods  where  we  first  saw 
them,  and  our  cavalry  had  opened  on  the  left,  I  could 
see  from  our  position,  near  the  section  of  artillery,, 
that,  from  the  clouds  of  dust  raised  in  the  timber,  that 
the  enemy  were  in  rapid  movement.  We  moved  for 
ward  with  the  two  guns  and  dismounted  men,  and  our 
cavalry  pressed  them  on  the  left.  In  the  meantime 
all  the  horses  and  mules  not  captured  had  been  driven 
into  camp,  and  our  cavalry  was  being  rapidly  rein 
forced.  "When  our  cavalry  was  sufficiently  strength 
ened  by  the  arrival  of  troopers  from  the  fort,  mounted 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  25T 

on  horses  just  brought  in,  the  line  on  the  left  was 
formed,  and  the  bugles  sounded  the  charge.  At  the 
same  time  the  artillery,  which  was  supported  by  the 
dismounted  men,  had  moved  up  nearer  the  timber,  and 
opened  with  shell.  The  enemy  had  no  sooner  drawn 
our  first  volley  at  a  short  range  than  they  fled  in  the 
direction  they  came  from.  We  heard  that  a  shell  from  one 
of  our  guns  burst  in  the  midst  of  a  body  of  rebel  Indians, 
killing  and  wounding  quite  a  number,  and  throwing 
the  others  into  a  panic.  It  is  often  remarked  that  In 
dians  have  a  greater  dread  of  artillery  than  white 
troops.  Our  cavalry  followed  them  beyond  Greenleaf 
Prairie,  ten  miles  southeast  of  the  fort,  and  recaptured 
a  good  many  of  our  horses  and  mules  which  they  had 
captured  in  the  morning.  Their  rear  was  exposed  to- 
the  fire  of  our  cavalry  during  the  entire  afternoon,  and 
they  must  have  suffered  considerable  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded.  They  left  on  the  field  only  eight  men,  but 
we  have  understood  that  they  took  a  number  along 
with  them  who  were  mortally  wounded.  We  lost  four 
teen  men  killed,  and  had  about  as  many  wounded. 
The  engagement  lasted  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  but 
some  time  was  consumed  on  the  skirmish  line  before 
we  ascertained  the  exact  position  of  the  enemy  in  the 
woods.  They  had  taken  up  a  position  near  the  road  lead 
ing  to  Greenleaf  Prairie,  and  probably  intended  to 
draw  our  troops  into  an  ambuscade.  But  Colonel 
Phillips  was  not  to  be  deceived,  by  rushing  headlong 
after  a  pretended  flying  party  of  the  enemy,  to  be  fired 
upon  by  a  massed  force  in  the  woods.  It  was  entirely 
17 


258  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

due  to  his  coolness  and  skill  in  handling  his  troops 
that  enabled  us  so  quickly  to  put  the  enemy  to  flight. 
It  is  a  time  now  that  our  movements  should  be  con 
ducted  with  great  caution,  as  the  enemy  have  not  only 
a  larger  force  than  ours,  but  it  is  composed  mainly  of 
white  troops. 

That  he  should  have  succeeded  in  coming  so  near  us 
unexpectedly  is  due  to  the  fact  that  they  killed  most 
of  our  pickets  along  the  road  they  came  in  on.  They 
killed,  captured,  or  cut  off  all  our  men  on  the  two  out 
side  picket  stations,  but  when  they  came  to.  the  third 
not  more  than  three  miles  from  camp,  our  picket 
guard  hurried  to  the  fort  and  reported  the  approach  of 
the  enemy.  It  is  supposed  that  they  crossed  the  river 
near  Webber's  Falls  and  made  a  night's  march.  With 
General  Cabell's  division  operating  along  the  Arkan 
sas  line,  and  General  Cooper's  force  directly  in 
our  front  within  four  or  five  miles  of  us,  it  is  impossi 
ble  for  Colonel  Phillips,  with  the  force  at  his  disposal, 
to  guard  all  the  approaches  to  this  post,  except  within 
a  radius  of  a  few  miles.  This  raid  of  the  enemy  has 
cost  us  heavily  in  animals.  Our  loss  will  not  fall 
much  short  of  three  hundred  horses  and  mules,  and 
perhaps  even  more,  including  the  losses  of  the  Indian 
soldiers.  The  four  companies  of  the  battalion  of  the 
Sixth  Kansas  cavalry  lost  probably  nearly  half  of  their 
horses.  As  the  men  of  these  companies  owned  their 
horses  as  private  property,  and  have  been  paid  for  their 
risk  and  use  by  the  Government,  the  loss  to  each  in 
dividual  owner  will  be  quite  a  hardship.  Though  they 


ON  THE   BORDEK-1863.  259 

may  soon  be  in  funds,  as  the  paymaster  is  expected  to 
come  down  with  the  supply  train  to  pay  off  the  troops 
of  this  division,  it  will  be  difficult  for  them  to  find  in 
this  section  suitable  animals  for  remounts.  Indian 
ponies  could  perhaps  be  had,  but  in  my  opinion  they 
are  only  suitable  for  Indians,  and  would  answer  only 
as  temporary  remounts  for  the  white  soldiers. 

One  of  our  Indians,  a  herder  or  picket,  who  was  killed 
by  the  enemy,  had  his  clothing  set  on  fire  and  his  body 
burned  to  a  crisp.  He  was  brought  in  this  afternoon 
with  the  other  killed  and  wounded,  and  he  presented  a 
ghastly  sight.  It  was  a  barbarous  act  on  the  part  of 
the  enemy,  and  we  had  supposed  that  the- rebel  troops 
operating  against  us  were  commanded  by  officers  who  had 
too  high  a  sense  of  honor  to  permit  such  an  outrage.  I 
am  unable  to  see  what  object  they  had  in  view  in  perpe 
trating  such  fiendish  treatment  on  the  dead.  If  they 
think  that  such  acts  will  make  our  men  regard  them 
with  greater  terror,  they  are  mistaken.  It  was  pro 
bably  done  by  the  rebel  Indians.  Our  pickets  at  the 
Rapid  Ford  five  miles  below  the  fort,  reported  to-day 
(22d)  that  the  enemy  fired  wooden  balls  at  them  from 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river  nearly  all  day.  This 
would  indicate  that  they  want  to  keep  up  a  noise  to 
occupy  our  attention,  and  that  they  have  more  powder 
than  lead  to  waste.  We  can  see  very  clearly  that  they 
desire  to  draw  our  attention  to  points  on  the  river 
below  here  as  much  as  possible,  while  their  most  im 
portant  movements,  are  directed  to  another  quarter,  to 
the  west  side  of  Grand  river,  for  the  purpose  of  cap 
turing  our  commissary  train 


260  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

On  the  22d  our  scouts  brought  in  information  that 
a  large  force  of  the  enemy  crossed  the  Arkansas  above 
the  mouths  of  the  Grand  and  the  Verdigris  rivers,  and 
are  believed  to  be  moving  northward.  Whether  it  is 
their  intention  to  continue  their  march  northward 
until  they  meet  our  supply  train,  or  whether  they 
intend  to  take  up  a  strong  position  above  here  and 
await  its  arrival,  to  make  the  attack,  is  not  definitely 
known.  Colonel  Phillips  is  watching  their  movements 
closely  and  will  use  his  force  here  to  the  best  possible 
advantage  to  prevent  the  capture  of  our  train.  He  has 
to-night  sent  out  nearly  all  of  his  available  cavalry  to 
meet  the  train  which  is  due  here  Sunday  night,  the 
24th.  The  enemy  seem  to  be  almost  as  well-informed 
of  its  movements  as  we  are,  from  the  preparations 
they  are  making  to  effect  its  capture.  The  clouds  of 
dust  we  saw  again  to-day  west  of  their  camp  shows 
that  they  are  displaying  great  activity.  There  is  not 
now  a  reasonable  doubt  but  that  we  shall  have  to  fight 
to  get  our  train  in.  But  as  our  troops  have  not  yet 
been  defeated,  we  will  not  give  it  up  without  a  hard 
contest. 

A  number  of  our  sick  and  convalescent  Indian 
soldiers  who  have  been  at  Tahlequah  for  some  time, 
came  in  to-day,  fearing  an  attack  from  the  enemy  at 
that  place,  since  it  is  known  that  rebel  scouts  were  re- 
•  cently  seen  in  that  vicinity.  It  is  provoking  that  we 
have  not  a  larger  cavalry  force  in  this  section.  The 
enemy,  however,  would  not  likely  attack  a  hospital, 
but  they  might  go  there  and  take  away  with  them  the 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  *    261 

convalescent  patients,  unless  those  in  charge  of  the 
hospital  should  spread  the  report  that  a  number  of  small 
pox  patients  are  still  there,  which  I  am  under  the  im 
pression  is  a  fact.  I  don't  know  that  we  have  had  any 
troops  stationed  there  since  we  came  here;  and  there 
must  be  some  good  reason  why  the  enemy  has  not 
shown  himself  in  sight  of  that  place,  as  it  is  about 
twenty-five  miles  from  this  post.  But  he  would  just 
about  as  likely  wish  to  capture  a  herd  of  horses  with 
glanders  as  a  hospital  filled  with  small-pox  patients. 

Sunday,  May  24th,  was  a  day  of  considerable  excite 
ment  and  activity  with  us.  We  knew  that  the  threat 
ening  movements  of  the  enemy  during  the  last  four  or 
five  days,  meant  something;  and  that  the  time  had  come 
when  we  must  act  or  suffer  inglorious  defeat.  Colo 
nel  Phillips  is  not  an  officer  who  can  remain  inactive 
while  the  enemy  are  displaying  activity  about  him. 

On  Saturdary  (23rd)  our  pickets  along  the  banks  of 
the  river,  having  first  ascertain  the  range  of  our 
carbines  and  carefully  estimated  the  distance  across  the 
river,  fired  upon  and  killed  three  of  the  enemy's  patrol 
guards  on  the  opposite  bank.  Our  soldiers  managed 
to  fix  up  some  cartridges  which  contained  a  little  more 
than  the  usual  quantity  of  powder.  At  any  rate  the 
charges  were  sufficient  to  send  the  balls  flying  over 
the  river  and  right  into  objects  at  which  the  carbines 
were  aimed.  There  is  not  a  better  cavalry  arm  in  the 
service  than  Sharp's  carbine.  We  have  some  adven 
turous  spirits  in  the  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cav 
alry,  and  I  believe  that  if  it  were  possible  they  would 


262  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

contrive  some  means  to  send  a  oall  two  miles,  if  noth 
ing  but  a  river  separated  us  from  the  enemy. 

There  was  an  alarm  in  camp  Saturday  night,  caused 
by  a  detachment  of  the  enemy  making  an  attempt  to 
capture  our  pickets  at  one  of  the  outside  stations.  In 
view  of  the  situation  and  to  guard  against  a  possible 
surprise,  Colonel  Phillips  ordered  all  the  troops  en 
camped  on  the  southern  and  eastern  slopes  of  the  hill, 
inside  of  the  fortifications.  We  took  our  tents  down 
and  packed  everything  up,  and  in  less  than  two  hours 
were  inside  the  fortifications.  Some  few  of  the  soldiers 
thought  it  useless,  while  most  of  them  were  per 
fectly  satisfied  to  trust  to  the  judgment  of  our  com 
manding  officer,  as  he  was  in  a  position  to  know  very 
nearly  the  exact  situation.  The  thought  of  being 
somewhat  crowded,  it  is  true,  was  not  a  pleasant  fea 
ture;  but  nearly  every  one  was  willing  to  forego  a  little 
freedom  of  movement  for  the  sake  of  greater  safety. 
So  this  morning  when  the  sun  had  climbed  the  moun 
tains,  which,  from  our  more  elevated  position,  looked 
lovely  fringed  with  green,  the  parapets  were  bristling 
with  the  guns  of  Captain  Hopkins'  battery.  Various 
rumors  were  afloat  all  the  morning  concerning  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,  but  nothing  was  definitely 
known.  As  he  is  known  to  have  received  considerable 
reinforcements  recently,  some  thought  that  he  might 
feel  strong  enough  to  divide  his  force  into  two  divis 
ions,  one  to  attack  our  train,  and  the  other  our  troops 
here  in  the  fort.  Colonel  Phillips,  who  no  doubt  com 
prehends  the  situation,  at  three  o'clock  this  afternoon 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  263 

took  about  five  hundred  men,  infantry,  cavalry  and 
one  section  of  Hopkins'  battery,  and  marched  down  to 
the  Rapid  Ford,  five  miles  below  here,  with  the  view 
'of  making  a  demonstration  against  the  enemy's  camp. 
I  desired  to  witness  the  action,  and  also  went  along. 
We  marched  leisurely,  and  reached  the  ford  about  four 
o'clock.  There  had  been  no  firing  between  the  pickets 
during  the  day,  though  it  is  not  likely  that  they 
had  kept  quiet  on  account  of  religious  scruples. 
We  saw  the  enemy  on  the  opposite  bank  in  con 
siderable  force.  They  did  not  seem  alarmed  at  our 
presence,  and  were  quite  willing  to  show  themselves 
some  distance  back  in  an  open  space.  As  the  river  bank 
on  the  north  side,  as  well  as  on  the  south  side,  was 
thickly  clothed  with  brush  and  woods,  they  did  not  see 
the  section  of  the  battery  when  we  commenced  form 
ing  in  line.  While  they  were  surveying  the  situation, 
Captain  Hopkins  estimated  the  range,  and  in  a  mo 
ment  more,  bang  went  a  shell  from  one  gun,  and  then 
from  the  other,  right  into  a  small  group  of  the  enemy. 
The  place  became  too  hot  for  them.  We  could  plainly 
see  the  shells  burst  near  the  party,  and  their  instant 
scattering;  but  we  could  not  see  whether  any  of  them 
were  struck  or  not  by  pieces  of  bursting  shells.  A 
number  of  men  were  seen  near  a  small  house,  on  the 
road,  several  hundred  yards  beyond  the  opposite  ford. 
Two  or  three  shells  were  thrown  near  them,  and  they 
immediately  disappeared.  Presently,  for  a  hundred 
yards  or  so  above  and  below  the  ford,  they  opened  fire 
from  behind  fallen  trees  and  the  thick  woods,  but  the 


264  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

balls  from  their  small  arms  fell  spent  near  us  or  dropped 
into  the  river.  We  returned  several  volleys,  aim 
ing  at  the  places  where  we  saw  the  smoke  rising  from 
their  discharged  muskets.  I  fired  a  dozen  rounds  from 
my  Sharp's  carbine,  waiting  every  time  for  the  smoke 
to  rise,  from  some  point  on  the  opposite  bank.  Cap 
tain  Hopkins  now  commenced  shelling  the  woods  along 
the  opposite  bank,  and  the  enemy's  firing  ceased. 
They  sheltered  themselves  from  our  shells  by  getting 
behind  the  trunks  of  fallen  trees.  Colonel  Phillips, 
now  at  the  head  of  his  cavalry,  followed  by  the  infan 
try,  filed  along  down  into  the  river,  with  the  apparent 
intention  of  marching  right  across.  The  river  bed  on 
the  north  side  was  perfectly  dry,  the  channel  running 
near  the  opposite  bank.  We  continued  to  move  for 
ward  until  we  reached  the  middle  of  the  stream,  when 
the  enemy  opened  a  volley  upon  us,  wounding  two  or 
three  men.  We  returned  the  fire,  but  with  not  much 
advantage,  as  we  had  to  guide  our  horses  in  the  strong 
current  which  was  now  flowing  np  to  their  flanks.  The 
heavy  volleys  of  musketry  made  a  good  many  horses 
unmanageable.  The  infantry,  however,  who  were  still 
on  the  sand  bar,  returned  the  fire  vigorously,  and  with 
better  effect,  so  that  the  enemy  kept  back  a  few  yards 
from  shore.  Colonel  Phillips  presently  turned  back, 
and  we  occupied  for  some  time  the  dry  river  bed  on 
the  north  side,  and  kept  up  a  steady  firing  for  half  an 
hour.  In  the  meantime  our  twelve  pounders  had  been 
steadily  throwing  shot  and  shell  into  the  woods. 

After  this  demonstration,  which  lasted  nearly  three 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  265 

hours,  the  whole  force,  except  a  guard  left  at  the  ford, 
returned  to  the  fort.  We  shall  probably  know  in  a 
few  days  what  effect  the  demonstration  has  had  with 
the  rebel  forces.  Colonel  Phillips  displayed  great 
courage  and  coolness  in  his  exposed  position.  The  en 
emy's  bullets  flew  around  him  as  thick  as  hail. 


CHAPTEK  XIY. 

The  enemy  makes  a  night  attack  on  the  Federal  supply  train — 
Gallant  charge  led  by  Colonel  Phillips,  and  total  route  of  the 
enemy — Only  a  sutler's  wagon  partially  plundered — The 
enemy  had  another  force  which  failed  to  co-operate — The  pay- 
master  paying  off  the  troops— The  Government  should  adopt 
a  system  to  enable  officers  and  soldiers  to  send  their  money 
home — Activity  noticed  in  the  enemy's  camp  again — The 
Arkansas  River  rising — Friendly  conversations  between  Fed 
eral  and  Rebel  Pickets — The  Federal  supply  train  returns  to 
Fort  Scott  with  a  heavy  escort — Engagement  between  Living 
ston  and  the  colored  troops  at  Baxter  Springs — The  enemy 
anxious  to  know  if  the  colored  regiment  is  coming  down — A 
woman  takes  one  of  the  enemy's  horses  and  conies  into  the 
Fort— Colonel  Phillips  to  be  re-inforced — Skirmish  near  Park 
Hill — Standwaitie's  Indians  in  the  northern  part  of  the  nation. 

After  returning  from  the  Eapid  Ford  yesterday 
evening,  and  getting  our  suppers,  and  resting  a  few 
hours,  we  started  out  again  to  meet  our  train.  While 
marching  along  during  the  night  on  the  old  military 
road  upon  which  the  train  was  coming,  we  saw  several 
fresh  trails,  the  prairie  grass  having  been  tramped  down 
flat  by  horses'  feet,  showing  that  the  enemy  were  mov 
ing  in  several  divisions,  doubtless  with  the  intention 
of  attacking  simultaneously  from  several  quarters, 
the  front  and  flanks,  or  front  and  rear  of  the  escort. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  26T 

Several  of  us  got  off  our  horses  and  carefully  inspected 
one  trail,  and  easily  distinguished  the  directions  they 
had  marched.     Some  ten  or  twelve  miles  out  our  de 
tachment  formed  a  junction  with  the  troops  guarding 
the  train.     The  train  probably  had  about  two  hundred 
wagons  in  all,  and  moving  in  the  closest  order  possi 
ble,  stretched  out  a  distance  of  more  than  a  mile.  From 
the  time    we  joined  it    the    road    ran  over    a  broad 
prairie,  until  we  should  get  within  three  or  four  miles 
of  the  fort.     We  marched  with  a  detachment  of  about 
one  hundred  cavalrymen,  say  a  quarter  of  a   mile  in 
advance  of  the  escort  just  in  front  of  the  train,  with 
detachments  of  cavalry  at  convenient  distances  from 
each  other  011   both  flanks,  and  with  a    strong  rear 
guard.     Skirmishers  were  also  kept  out  a  half  mile  on 
each   side  of  the  road,  with  instructions  to  keep  up 
with   the   advance   guard.     We  were   moving   along 
quietly,  and  approaching  the  timber  on  Grand  Eiver 
about  five  miles  northwest  of  the  fort,  and,  perhaps, 
nearly  an  hour  before  day-break,  when  we  heard  the  re 
port  of  a  musket,  and  then  three  or  four  more  shots.  W& 
saw  the  flash  from  the  musket  before  we  saw  the  enemy 
or  heard  the  report.     It  was  then  silent  for  a  moment, 
but  the  next  moment  we  saw  our  skirmishers  and  ad 
vance  guard  falling  back.     Closely  following  them  we 
saw,  by  the  dim  light  of  the  stars,  the  long  lines  of  the 
enemy  filing  over  a  ridge  in  the  prairie  a  few  hundred 
yards  off.     Orders  were    immediately  given  for  the 
teams  to  change  to  two  abreast,  as  this  would  shorten 
the  line  of  wagons  we  were  required  to  defend.     In- 


268  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

structions  were  also  given  to  teamsters  not  to  leave 
their  teams  under  any  circumstances.  The  enemy 
continued  to  advance,  and  when  some  two  hundred 
yards  off,  seemed  to  occupy  nearly  all  the  visible  hori 
zon  upon  the  prairie,  south,  east  and  west  of  us.  One 
thousand  cavalry,  when  not  marching  in  close  order, 
cover  a  large  field,  particularly  at  night,  and  are  likely 
to  be  overestimated  in  numbers.  Our  lines  were 
quickly  formed,  and  when  the  enemy  approached 
within  a  hundred  yards  of  us,  we  opened  fire  upon 
them.  They  promptly  returned  a  volley.  "We  con 
tinued  to  pour  into  their  ranks  volley  after  vol 
ley,  which  soon  threw  them  into  considerable  disorder. 
'They  soon  rallied,  however,  and  made  a  few  feeble 
efforts  at  charging  us,  but  did  not  come  nearer  than 
fifty  yards  of  the  troops  with  whom  I  was  acting,  for 
our  firing  was  conducted  with  great  caution  and  deliber 
ation.  Several  other  divisions  which  they  sent  to  make 
attacks  at  other  points,  were  equally  unsuccessful.  It 
was  a  grand  sight  to  see  the  flashes  from  the  long 
lines  of  muskets  and  carbines.  Colonel  Phillips  formed 
his  troops  into  a  kind  of  oblong  square,which  inclosed 
the  train.  The  two  short  sides  of  the  square  were 
made  quite  strong,  and  when  the  enemy  made  an  ef 
fort  to  break  either  of  the  long  and  weak  sides,  we 
•cross-fired  him,  and  all  his  efforts  were  fruitless. 
Nearly  half  of  our  troops  fought  dismounted,  which 
•enabled  them  to  fire  with  greater  precision.  We  held 
the  enemy  in  check  in  this  manner  for  upwards  of 
an  hour,  and  until  towards  daylight,  repul- 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  269* 

sing  him  in  every  attack,  when  Colonel  Phil 
lips  determined  to  take  the  oifensive,  and  at  the 
decisive  moment  ordered  the  bugle  sounded  and  led 
his  troops  to  the  charge.  "We  moved  forward  with  a 
shout,  and  in  a  few  moments  completely  routed  the 
enemy  all  along  the  line.  The  main  body  we  pursued 
several  miles  in  the  direction  of  the  Yerdigris  River, 
firing  into  their  rear  every  opportunity.  Other 
detachments  fled  in  other  directions.  They  left  twenty- 
six  dead  on  the  field.  Our  loss  was  seven  or  eight 
men  killed,  and  perhaps  twenty -five  or  thirty  wounded., 
As  soon  as  the  enemy  had  been  driven  from  the  field, 
the  train  was  set  in  motion,  and  arrived  at  Grand1 
Elver  opposite  to  the  fort  just  after  sunrise.  During 
the  day  one  or  two  wagon  loads  of  the  enemy's  dead 
were  brought  in  for  burial  near  this  post.  "We  heard 
through  our  pickets  along  the  river,  that  the  enemy 
boasted  of  their  intention  of  getting  their  Monday 
morning's  breakfast  out  of  our  rations.  If  this  really 
was  their  boast,  and  they  brought  no  rations  with  them,, 
they  must  have  returned  to  their  camp  hungry  and 
disappointed.  They  did,  however,  capture  and  plun 
der  one  sutler's  wagon.  The  teamster  for  the  sutler 
seems  to  have  got  frightened  and  left  his  team,  which 
became  separated  from  the  train  and  wandered  about 
on  the  prairie. 

We  received  information  through  our  scouts,  that 
the  enemy  had  another  strong  force  above  us  on  Grand 
River,  which  failed  to  co-operate  with  the  force  that 
engaged  us  in  the  morning.  So  far  as  we  can  find  out, 


270  MEMOIKS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

demonstration  at  the  Rapid  Ford,  Sunday  evening, 
in  front  of  General  Cooper's  camp,  caused  him 
to  change  his  plans  in  regard  to  the  point  where 
he  had  intended  to  attack  our  train.  The  force 
which  fought  us  in  the  morning,  either  returned 
to  defend  and  save  their  camp  after  starting  out,  or 
remained  in  camp  longer  than  they  had  intended  on 
account  of  our  threatening  attitude  in  that  direction 
Sunday  evening,  thus  preventing  them  from  carrying 
out  the  pre-arranged  plan  of  forming  a  junction  with 
the  force  north  of  us  at  a  certain  point  and  at  a  certain 
hour  Monday  morning.  It  does  not  seem  reasonable, 
and  we  do  not  believe,  that  the  enemy  deliberately 
planned  to  attack  our  train  within  sight  of  our  fortifi 
cations,  where  we  might  quickly  reinforce  it  with 
nearly  all  the  troops  of  this  post.  Colonel  Phillips 
certainly  deserves  great  credit  for  the  able  manner  in 
which  he  has  baffled  and  defeated  the  enemy,  who  have 
made  such  great  preparations  for  capturing  our  train — 
a  prize  which  they  would  have  highly  valued. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  point  out  a  finer  movement 
in  military  manoeuvers,  as  having  actually  occurred, 
than  that  which  Colonel  Phillips  executed  to  save  his 
trains;  and  were  he  in  a  section  where  military  corres 
pondents  are  swarming  around  headquarters  like  they 
are  around  the  headquarters  of  our  eastern  armies,  he 
would  be  lauded  as  a  real  hero.  Less  brilliant  achieve 
ments  and  less  distinguished  bravery  than  he  has 
shown  on  several  occasions  during  the  last  week,  have 
been  considered  sufficient  in  the  cases  of  other  officers 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  271 

to  earn  them  promotion.  He  has  shown  himself  to  be 
remarkably  fertile  in  resources  in  an  emergency. 
At  such  times  most  men  lose  their  heads. 

The  enemy  are  reported  to  have  had  upwards  of  fif 
teen  hundred  men  in  the  engagement,  but  I  am  in 
clined  to  think  that  they  had  at  least  two  thousand 
white  soldiers  and  Indians,  composed  of  Texans,  Choc- 
taws  and  Cherokees.  Though  they  seem  to  have  been 
well-informed  in  regard  to  the  movements  of  the  trains, 
perhaps  through  Livingston's  guerrillas,  operating  in 
the  vicinity  of  Baxter  Springs,  they  were  disappointed 
in  the  strength  of  the  escort.  Had  they  succeeded  in 
capturing  or  burning  the  train,  we  should  have  been 
obliged  to  abandon  this  post,  as  we  could  have  issued 
full  rations  only  for  a  day  or  so  longer.  Indeed,  of 
some  articles  we  have  already  been  obliged  to  issue 
less  than  the  full  allowance.  This  country  could  af 
ford  no  subsistence,  except  fresh  beef;  and  all'  our 
other  supplies  would  be  exhausted  before  we  reached 
the  Kansas  line. 

The  paymaster,  who  came  down  with  the  train, 
commenced  on  the  27th  paying  off  the  troops  at  this 
post.  Many  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  here  have  not 
been  paid  for  eight  months,  and,  of  course,  payment 
at  this  time  will  be  quite  acceptable  to  everyone.  A 
good  many  of  our  white  soldiers,  who  have  families, 
generally  find  some  means  of  sending  nearly  all  their 
salaries  home  soon  after  pay  day.  Many  others  would,no 
doubt,  send  their  money  north  were  it  not  for  the 
danger  of  losing  it.  If  a  soldier  puts  his  money  in 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 


an  envelope  and  seals  it,  and  sends  it  by  a  friend  to 

his  family,  his  friend  may  get  captured,  or  killed,  or 

lose  it,  or  be  subjected  to  some  great  delay.   And  down 

here,  where  we  are  so  much  isolated  from  the  rest  of 

the  world,  the  mail  is  not  regarded  as  a  tit  and  proper 

medium  for   the  transmission  of  valuable  packages, 

such  as  money.     A  soldier  can  ill  afford  to  lose  five  or 

six  months  of  his  small  earnings.     It  would  be  a  great 

convenience  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  our  armies 

if  the  Government  should   adopt    some    system    by 

which  those  desiring  to  do  so  could  send  their  money 

to  their  families  by   check.      When  men   carry   their 

money  around  in  their  pockets,  and  have  the  slightest 

disposition  to  gamble,  they  are  liable  to  be  drawn  into 

this  immoral    habit    again  —  particularly    when  they 

have  little  else  to  occupy  their  minds.     Since  quite  a 

proportion  of  our  white  troops  lost  their  horses  by  the 

recent  raid  of  the  enemy,  and  by  being  worn  out  in  the 

service  for  want  of  forage,  we  have  an  unusually  lar^e 

number  of  men  subject  to  continuous  camp  life.     And 

several  times,  while  taking  a  stroll  on  the  outskirts  of 

the   camp,   I  have  noticed  more   than    a  half  dozen 

small  groups  of  men,  in  pleasant,  shady  spots,  engaged 

in  playing  "  Chuck  Luck."     They  were  all  betting, 

generally  in  small  sums  of  money      A  gum  or  rubber 

blanket  is  usually  spread  upon  the  ground,  and  three 

or  four  men  sit  down  upon  it,  with  dice  and  dice-box, 

and  bet  on  the  dice  thrown.     This  affords  excitement 

and  kills  time,  which  is  a  burden   to   men,   who,    for 

months,  have  been  actively  employed  in  scouting  and 


ON  THE  BOHDEK-1863.  273 

marching.  Loaded  dice  are  now  and  then  heard  of, 
and  when  discovered  generally  result  in  a  row.  Other 
parties  bet  on  games  of  cards.  Some  of  those  who 
are  rather  sharp  gamblers,  claim  to  have  fleeced  their 
comrades  and  some  of  the  Indians  out  of  more  money 
than  a  soldier  receives  from  the  Government  for  six 
months'  salary.  The  gambling  cannot  be  easily  broken 
up,  for  parties  caught  in  the  act  of  playing  may  claim 
to  be  playing  for  amusement. 

"We  have  noticed  again  to-day,  from  the  roof  of  the 
large  stone  building  on  the  bluff,  with  a  spy-glass,  un 
usual  activity  in  the  enemy's  camp.  What  it  means 
we  do  not  yet  know;  and  at  present  we  do  not  feel 
any  great  anxiety  in  regard  to  it.  We  -are  now  in  a- 
condition  our  troops  would  rather  like  them  to  at 
tack  us;  and  unless  they  come  with  an  overwhelming 
force  we  should  fight  them  outside  our  fortifications, 
But  they  doubtless  know  that  it  would  be  useless  to 
attack  us  here,  since  we  were  able  to  rout  them  the 
other  morning  in  an  open  field,  when  they  had  an  op 
portunity  of  choosing  the  position  and  time  of  attack, 
and  were  free  to  maneuver  as  they  pleased. 

On  the  28th  the  Arkansas  river  commenced  rising 
rapidly,  so  that  the  enemy  will  not  likely  be  very  ac 
tive  on  the  north  side  for  perhaps  a  week  or  so.  They 
have  no  steam  ferry  boats,  nor  any  other  kind  of  boats 
fit  for  crossing  the  river,  that  we  have  heard  of,between 
Fort  Smith  and  their  present  encampment.  And  since 
we  destroyed  their  steamboats  at  Yan  Buren  last  De 
cember,  it  is  not  probable  that  they  have  had  much 
18 


274:  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

river  transportation  on  the  Arkansas  above  Little 
Kock.  Though  this  is  the  season  when  navigation  on 
the  river  is  best,  neither  party  is  able  to  use  it  to  ad 
vantage.  A  steamboat  plying  on  the  river  in  the  ser 
vice  of  one  party  would  be  a  target  for  the  artillery  and 
small  arms  of  the  other.  Below  Fort  Smith,  for,  per 
haps,  nearly  two  hundred  miles,  the  enemy  might  ply 
steamboats  with  comparative  safety  from  attack  by 
our  forces.  But  over  that  section  they  have  very  little 
to  transport,  as  the  main  army  is  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Little  Kock. 

The  present  rise  is  due  almost  entirely  to  the  flood 
gates  having  been  opened  in  the  mountains.  Such  lo 
cal  rains  as  we  have  had  recently  have  not,  probably, 
peceptibly  affected  the  volume  of  water  flowing  in 
the  Arkansas,  above  the  mouth  of  Grand  river.  The 
spring  rise  of  the  Arkansas  is  almost  as  regular  as  the 
rise  of  the  Nile. 

If  we  had  pontoon  bridges  now,  since  our  troops 
are  buoyant  with  life  and  confident  in  their  strength, 
and  have  full  rations  for  nearly  a  month,  we  could  an 
noy  the  enemy  and  doubtless  drive  him  from  his  pre 
sent  position.  To  have  full  rations  and  know  that  the 
larder  is  well  filled,  or  that  the  commissary  has  abund 
ant  supplies  on  hand,  gives  strength  and  courage  to 
the  soldier.  It  takes  good  food  and  plenty  of  it  to 
keep  up  a  strong  vigorous  current  of  blood  through 
its  natural  channels. 

The  enemy's  pickets  and  ours  along  the  river  are 
getting  more  tolerant  of  each  others'  presence.  They 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  275 

agreed  on  a  temporary  truce  on  the  28th,  and  ap 
proached  each  other  at  a  narrow  point  on  the  river, 
and  talked  across  the  water  in  a  quite  friendly  man 
ner.  They  had  another  conference  on  the  29th  in 
stant,  and  talked  over  the  engagement  of  Monday 
morning  pleasantly,  and  inquired  of  each  other  about 
friends  in  the  two  armies.  But  while  parties  are  talk 
ing  to  each  other  under  truce  at  one  point  on  the 
river,  the^are  firing  upon  each  other  at  some  other 
point.  As  nothing  substantial  can  be  gained  by  this 
continuous  firing  across  the  river,  it  will  probably 
cease  altogether  soon.  It  has  now  been  goin^  on  un 
til  there  is  getting  to  be  very  little  novelty  in  it. 

Our  commissary  train  started  back  to  Fort  Scott  on 
the  evening  of  the  30th,  and  crossed  Grand  River  twelve 
miles  above  this  post,  on  account  of  its  being  too  high 
to  ford  in  this  vicinity.  Nearly  all  the  cavalry  here 
have  been  ordered  to  escort  it  as  far  as  Baxter  Springs 
or  Neosho  River.  When  this  duty  shall  have  been 
performed,  the  troops  belonging  to  this  division  will 
return  to  this  station.  While  it  is  not  likely  that  the 
enemy  would  make  a  very  great  effort  to  capture  or 
destroy  our  empty  train  returning,  they  would  doubt 
less  make  some  effort  to  destroy  it,  if  they  found  that 
it  had  only  a  feeble  escort.  And  we,  from  informa 
tion  received  through  Indians  who  have  been  gather 
ing  whortleberries  in  the  mountains,  are  not  sure 
that  they  have  not  already  a  considerable  force  above 
here  on  a  kind  of  expedition  of  observation. 

Information  also  came  from  Baxter  Springs  on  the 


276  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

31st  of  May,  that  a  portion  of  the  colored  regiment 
stationed  there  under  Colonel  Williams,  recently  had 
a  hard  fight  with  Livingston's  guerillas,  and  lost  about 
twenty  men  killed.  It  seems  that  Livingston  made  a 
raid  on  the  place,  for  the  purpose  of  driving  off  the 
horses  and  mules  kept  at  that  station,  and  was  in  a 
measure  successful.  The  animals,  it  is  stated,  were 
being  herded  on  the  prairie  near  the  post  where  graz 
ing  was  best,  by  a  small  number  of  colore^  soldiers, 
who  were  suprised  when  the  rebels  dashed  upon  them. 
When  we  first  heard  of  the  colored  infantry  being 
stationed  at  Baxter  Springs  several  weeks  ago,  I  re- 
marked  of  the  great  need  of  a  cavalry  force  at  that 
point.  One  company  of  infantry  is  worth  just  about 
as  much  there  as  an  infantry  regiment,  in  contending 
with  the  guerillas  of  that  section  under  Livingston. 
And  very  few  animals  can  be  kept  there  unless  they 
shall  be  fed  within  the  limits  of  the  camp.  And 
none  are  required  at  the  station,  except  mules  for  the 
regimental  teams. 

A  scouting  party  of  the  enemy  was  seen  on  June 
1st,  near  Green  Leaf,  about  eight  miles  east  of  this  post. 
They  are  supposed  to  be  apart  of  Standwai tie's  rebel  In 
dians,  and  to  be  moving  in  the  direction  of  Tahlequah 
and  the  northern  part  of  the  Cherokee  Nation.  As  all 
that  part  of  the  Nation  adjacent  to  Arkansas  is  unoccu 
pied  by  our  troops,  they  may  be  permitted  to  remain 
in  it  several  weeks  undisturbed.  Our  cavalry  is  now 
so  much  occupied  with  escort  duty  to  our  supply 
trains,  and  in  watching  the  movements  of  the  enemy  in 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  277 

this  immediate  vicinity,  that  Colonel  Phillips  is  un 
able  to  send  out  a  force  to  pursue  every  detachment  of 
rebels  moving  northeast  of  us. 

A  negro  man  came  into  our  lines  on  the  2d,  from 
the  rebel  camp  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and 
he  says  that  they  claim  to  have  upwards  of  six  thou 
sand  men.  He  was  taken  prisoner  on  the  20th  ultimo 
by  the  enemy,  when  they  made  the  raid  and  drove 
away  so  many  of  our  animals.  They  were  much  elated 
over  this  affair,  but  much  disappointed  in  not  being 
able  to  capture  or  destroy  our  supply  train.  They 
questioned  him  a  good  deal  about  the  strength  of  our 
force,  and  wished  to  know  if  the  colored  troops  were 
really  coming  down  as  reinforcements.  He  says  that 
the  thought  of  having  to  meet  on  the  field,  and  on 
equal  terms,  the  colored  soldiers,  makes  them  quite 
indignant.  But  a  man  is  a  man,  black  or  white,  and 
his  being  black  does  not  prevent  him  necessarily  from 
being  valuable  on  the  field.  They  affect  to  think  that 
our  government  is  hard  pressed  for  soldiers  when  it 
feels  the  necessity  of  accepting  the  military  service 
of  the  recent  slaves.  But  we  may  observe  that  the 
enemy  will  perhaps  find  out,  before  this  contest  is 
over,  that  the  recent  slaves  will  feel  as  much  interest 
in  fighting  for  their  freedom  as  our  white  soldiers 
have  in  fighting  to  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  gov 
ernment.  It  may  also  be  remarked  that  there  are 
many  of  us  who  believe  that  there  can  be  no  perman 
ent  union  without  the  permanent  freedom  of  the  late 
slaves.  Many  who  at  first  scouted  this  idea,  are  be 
ginning  to  take  a  similar  view. 


278  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

It  seems  Livingston  wrote  General  Cooper  just  be 
fore  our  supply  train  came  down,  that  the  colored 
regiment  would  accompany  it  as  an  escort  from  Bax 
ter  Springs.  He  urged  that  preparations  be  made  for 
capturing  the  whole  outfit.  The  enemy,  therefore, 
when  he  attacked  the  train  near  here  on  the  25th  ulti 
mo,  were  somewhat  disappointed  in  not  finding  it 
guarded  by  an  escort  of  colored  troops;  and  now 
affect  to  believe  that  we  have  no  colored  soldiers  en 
listed  into  the  service.  Before  the  summer  is  over, 
and  we  continue  to  be  as  near  neighbors  as  at  present, 
they  will  likely  become  abundantly  satisfied  on  this 
point — that  is,  that  we  have  a  regiment  of  soldiers  as 
black  as  ebony,  and  that  they  can  go  through  the  in 
fantry  manual  as  handsomely  and  with  as  much  ease 
as  perhaps  any  of  their  own  troops,  and  that  if  they 
have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  them,  they  may  see 
them  with  bright  blue  uniforms,  and  if  coming  into 
line,  with  muskets  and  bayonets  glistening  beautiful 
ly  but  terribly.  Colonel  Williams  has  given  much 
attention  to  carefully  drilling  his  regiment.  We  hear 
that  the  colored  troops  are  quite  anxious  to  come  into  an 
engagement  with  the  enemy,  and  that  they  think  they 
would  prick  his  tender  white  skin  with  the  points  of 
their  bayonets.  The  few  contests  they  have  had  in  the 
vicinity  of  Baxter  Springs  with  the  enemj7,  show  that 
they  are  not  lacking  in  bravery. 

While  a  detachment  of  rebel  Indians  who  were  on 
their  way  to  Hilter  Brand's  Mills  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  Nation,  stopped  to  plunder  the  house  of  a  fain- 


ON  THE  BOKDER.-1863.  279 

ily  near  Tahlaquah  yesterday,  one  of  the  women  of 
the  house  mounted  one  of  the  enemy's  horses,  and 
came  on  here  and  reported  their  movements  to  Col 
onel  Phillips.  Such  heroic  action  on  the  part  of 
a  loyal  woman  of  this  territory  is  surely  highly  com 
mendable.  Her  name  should  be  preserved  in  the  gal 
lery  of  Heroic  Women.  With  a  little  presence  of 
mind,  the  loyal  families  living  in  the  country  might 
often  do  very  much  toward  keeping  us  advised  of  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.  It  is  also  probable  that 
there  is  a  good  deal  of  reliable  information  brought 
in  to  Colonel  Phillips  concerning  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  by  people  living  in  the  country,  that  we 
never  hear  of. 

Our  prospects  are  beginning  to  look  a  little  brighter. 
Colonel  Phillips  has  received  a  dispatch  from  General 
Blunt,  who  is  now  at  Forth  Leavenworth,  urging  him 
to  hold  this  post,  no  matter  at  what  cost,  and  that  he 
will  immediately  send  him  reinforcements.  We  don't 
believe  that  Colonel  Phillips  has  had  any  intention  of 
abandoning  this  post,  so  long  as  his  supplies  came 
through  safely.  We  can  fight  while  we  have  anything 
to  eat.  But  if  the  commanding  General  of  the  De 
partment  had  not  decided  to  do  something  to  assist  us 
in  keeping  the  country  in  our  rear  free  of  the  enemy, 
so  that  our  supplies  can  reach  us,  the  thought  of  fall 
ing  back  from  this  section  would  no  doubt  have  to  be 
seriously  considered  by  Colonel  Phillips  in  the  course 
of  a  month  or  so.  But  a  month's  time  may  change 
the  aspect  of  things,  not  only  in  this  section,  but 


280  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

throughout  the  country.  It  is  not,  I  suppose,  so 
much  the  question  of  ability  to  hold  this  post,  but  the 
question  of  ability  to  hold  a  larger  portion  of  this 
country  that  concerns  Colonel  Phillips  most.  We  do 
not  know  the  number  of  troops  General  Blunt  will 
have  in  his  new  command,  but  I  do  know  that  he  is 
an  officer  who  will  not  be  content  to  remain  inactive  in 
the  rear  and  allow  his  sword  to  rust,  while  there  is  an 
enemy  in  front.  He  is,  every  inch,  a  fighting  Gen 
eral. 

A  small  party  of  our  Indian  soldiers  had  a  skirmish 
with  a  detachment  of  Standwaitie's  men  near  Park 
Hill,  June  5th,  and  had  two  men  killed,  and  two  seri 
ously  wounded.  The  enemy  are  reported  to  have  also 
had  several  men  wounded.  Ambulances  were  imme 
diately  sent  over  to  Park  Hill  to  bring  in  the  killed 
and  wounded.  Our  scouting  parties  have  been  in  that 
section  very  little  recently.  It  is  reported,  also,  that 
the  rebels  shot  one  of  their  own  men,  because  he  en 
deavored  to  save  the  life  of  one  of  our  Indians.  It  has 
been  suggested,  however,  that  this  story  betaken  with 
a  grain  of  allowance.  Our  loss  in  this  instance  is 
probably  due  to  the  fact  that  our  Indians  were  not  quite 
as  vigilant  as  they  might  or  should  have  been.  Small 
detachments  of  our  troops  should  know  by  this  time 
that  when  they  are  out  of  sight  of  our  camp  they  are,  as 
far  as  their  safety  is  concerned,  in  the  enemy's  coun 
try,  and  liable  to  surprise  at  any  moment. 

Several  of  our  Indian  soldiers,  who  have  had  per 
mission  to  visit  their  homes  in  the  northern  part  of 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  281 

the  Nation  near  Maysville,  have  just  returned,  and  re 
port  that  the  enemy  have  a  force  of  upwards  of  one 
hundred  men  in  that  section,  murdering  the  loyal  In 
dians,  and  committing  all  kinds  of  depredations.  This 
force  of  the  enemy  crossed  the  Arkansas  Kiver  near 
"Webbers  Falls,  and  marched  up  through  the  Nation 
near  the  Arkansas  line.  As  complaints  have  been  com 
ing  in  for  several  days  of  their  depredations,  Colonel 
Phillips  has  determined  to  send  a  force  of  two  or 
three  hundred  cavalry  in  pursuit  of  the  rebels.  That 
will  soon  put  an  end  to  the  little  reign  of  terror.  It 
is  desirable  to  afford  all  the  protection  possible  to  those 
loyal  families  who  are  endeavoring  to  live  upon  their 
homesteads.  And  since  Colonel  Phillips  has  had  com 
mand  of  the  Indian  Territory,  it  can  hardly  be  said 
that  the  enemy  has  had  even  a  transient  possession  of 
any  portion  of  it. 

The  enemy  killed  two  of  our  pickets  on  the  night  of 
the  7th,  within  less  than  three  miles  of  this  post,  by 
sneaking  upon  them  in  the  dark.  They  seem  to  act 
upon  the  assumption  that  anything  is  fair  in  war.  It 
is  supposed  that  they  intended  to  prepare  the  way  for 
making  another  raid  upon  our  animals,  as  soon  as  they 
should  be  sent  out  with  the  herders  the  next  day.  The 
night  and  day  picket  stations  should  be  at  different 
points.  But  if  they  had  it  in  view  to  make  another 
raid  for  such  a  purpose,  they  must  have  given  it  up 
for  some  reason,  for  a  detachment  of  our  cavalry  sent 
out  to-day  several  miles  beyond  the  picket  station 
where  the  men  were  killed,  returned  without  having 


282  MEMOIKS  OP  THE  KEBELLION 

found  any  signs  of  the  enemy.  As  two  of  our  men 
escaped  from  the  outside  picket  station,  and  came  in 
to  the  next  most  distant  station  on  the  road  leading 
from  the  post,  the  rebels  perhaps  thought  that  what 
they  had  done  would  be  reported  to  Colonel  Phillips' 
headquarters  before  our  animals  should  be  driven  out 
to  graze.  "When  it  becomes  necessary  for  the  men  of 
an  outside  picket  station  to  leave  it,  they  should  fall 
back  upon  the  next  interior  station  and  await  the 
approach  of  the  enemy;  but  in  the  meantime  it  is  the 
duty  of  the  non-commissioned  officer  in  charge  to 
send  a  messenger  in  to  headquarters,  post-haste,  to 
report  what  had  already  taken  place.  If  the  enemy 
should  continue  to  advance  and  attack  this  second  sta 
tion,  the  non-commissioned  officer  in  charge  of  it 
should  send  another  messenger  as  swiftly  as  possible 
to  his  commanding  officer,  with  such  information  as  he 
has  been  able  to  gain  of  the  enemy's  movements.  The 
courier  should  also  be  instructed  as  he  starts  on  his  fly 
ing  errand  to  cry  out  at  each  of  the  stations  he  passes, 
"  Men !  up  and  at  your  posts,  the  enemy  are  advanc- 
cing ! "  Each  station  should  detain  the  enemy  as  long 
as  it  can  with  safety  do  so.  But  of  course  if  the  offi 
cer  in  charge  of  it  discovers  the  enemy  advancing  in 
strong  force,  he  should  not  deploy  his  men  in  such 
manner  as  to  make  their  capture  or  destruction  an  easy 
matter.  If  it  should  be  a  light  advance  guard  of  the 
enemy  approaching,  a  well  directed  fire  of  the  pickets 
will,  perhaps,  in  most  instances,  stop  their  progress 
until  the  main  force  comes  up.  In  the  presence  of  an 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  283 

enemy  picket  duty  is  full  of  danger  to  the  soldier,  and 
if  he  relaxes  his  vigilance  while  on  such  duty,  it  may 
be  not  only  at  his  own  great  risk,  but  he  may  also  en 
danger  the  safety  of  the  entire  command  to  which  he 
belongs.  He  should,  therefore,  be  impressed  with  the 
responsibility  of  his  position.  Colonel  Phillips  has 
such  an  arrangement  of  picket  guards,  that  it  would 
now  be  almost  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  approach 
nearer  than  three  or  four  miles  without  alarming  our 
camp. 


CHAPTER  XY. 

An  agreement  in  regard  to  the  cessation  of  picket  firing— Mostly 
young  men  in  the  army— They  have  no  Alcestis  to  die  for 
them — General  Cooper's  army  moves  back  twenty  miles, 
perhaps  to  find  better  grazing — A  rebel  reconnoitering  force 
west  of  the  Fort— General  Cabell's  force  near  Cincinnati— 
'The  Indians  harvesting— The  wheat  crop  good,  what  there  is 
-of  it — Major  Foreman  after  Standwaitie — Engagement  on 
'Green  Leaf  prairie— The  enemy  finally  driven  from  the  field 
— Federal  and  Rebel  pickets  in  swimming  together — The 
Federals  exchange  coffee  for  tobacco— Desertion  of  rebel 
soldiers — Rebel  discipline  believed  to  be  more  severe  in  some 
respects  than  the  Federal — Remarks  on  flogging  and  severe 
discipline — Major  Foreman  with  six  hundred  men  sent  to 
meet  Federal  supply  train— The  enemy  preparing  to  attack  it 
again— An  Indian  prophet  and  the  superstitions  of  the 
Indians. 

ON  June  9th  some  sort  of  an  agreement  was  arrived 
at  between  General  Cooper  and  Colonel  Phillips,  by 
which  the  pickets  of  the  two  opposing  armies  along 
both  sides  of  the  river  shall  cease  firing  at  each  other 
as  much  as  possible.  This  to  my  mind  is  a  very  sensi 
ble  arrangement,  for  very  little  is  accomplished  by 
banging  away  all  day  long  at  each  other,  as  if  the 
two  armies  were  skirmishing  preparatory  to  going 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  28 & 

into  action.  We  can  sometimes  hear  from  this  post 
the  volleys  of  small  arms  at  different  points  along  the 
river,  as  if  the  two  forces  were  actually  approaching 
each  other  in  line  of  battle.  If  either  party  should, 
attempt  to  cross  the  river,  then  it  would  of  course  be 
perfectly  proper  for  the  other  party  to  fire  upon  them.. 
But  I  do  not  apprehend  that  the  firing  will  entirely 
cease  immediately,  as  it  will  be  easy  for  those  of  rest 
less  dispositions  on  either  side  to  find  some  pretext  for 
firing  an  occasional  shot.  Picket  duty  is  very  monoto 
nous,  and  the  young  men  like  to  do  something  occasion- . 
ally  for  excitement.  Perhaps  it  is  needless  for  me  to.-, 
specify  and  emphasize  the  young  men,  for  among  our, 
white  troops  I  believe  that  over  one-half  of  the  enlist 
ed  men  are  between  the  ages  of  twenty  and  thirty, 
years.  We  have  quite  a  number  under  the  age  of 
twenty,  counting  myself  among  them.  It  will  there 
fore  be  seen  that  we  have  a  good  deal  of  the  spirit  of 
youth  among  us;  so  much  indeed  that  there  is  always 
some  one  ready  to  undertake  almost  any  adventure 
that  it  is  possible  to  propose.  It  is  well  enough  to., 
have  a  good  deal  of  such  esprit  de  corps  in  an  army,v 
if  it  is  properly  guided  by  older  and  cooler  heads. 
But  there  is  a  thought  that  comes  into  my  mind  in 
regard  to  the  great  number  of  young  men  who  have 
enlisted  into  our  armies.  It  is  this:  If  the  war  con 
tinues  a  few  years  longer,  and  it  is  as  destructive  of 
young  men  and  men  under  middle  age  as  it  has  already 
been,  will  not  this  great  loss  of  young  men  just  grow 
ing  into  manhood,  and  men  just  commencing  to  assume , 


286  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

the  duties  of  citizens,  be  seriously  felt  throughout  the 
country  for  the  next  few  generations  ?  '  No  one  I  think 
can  doubt  but  that  most  of  the  strong,  healthy  and 
vigorous  young  men  who  are  full  of  patriotic  pride  and 
feel  a  deep  interest  in  their  country's  welfare,  if  they 
have  not  already,  are  now  enlisting  into  the  army. 
"What  proportion  of  these  young  men  will  return  to 
their  homes  sound  and  healthy  as  they  left  them? 
Perhaps  only  a  small  proportion.  The  blood  that 
courses  the  veins  of  these  men  is  the  kind  of  blood 
that  should  flow  through  the  veins  of  the  children  of 
the  rising  generation.  The  patriotic  spirit  which  ani 
mates  these  young  men,  is  the  kind  of  patriotic  spirit 
which  should  animate  the  children  of  the  future  of  this 
great  country.  The  nation  is  surely  making  a  great 
sacrifice,  but  the  principle  involved  is  a  great  one,  and 
when  we  take  into  account  the  benefits  that  must 
accrue  to  future  generations  if  our  arms  are  crowned 
with  success,  as  they  must  be,  I  believe  that  it  will  be 
admitted  that  the  prize  is  worth  much  of  the  best 
blood  of  the  country  But  the  noble  sacrifice  of  the 
heroic  dead  or  living  should  not  be  regarded  lightly, 
nor  soon  forgotten  by  the  rising  generation.  Many  of 
us  may  wish  that  we  could  have  been  born  a  generation 
or  so  later;  but  as  we  are  here  we  should  not  endeav 
or  to  escape  the  responsibility,  if  we  are  true  to  our 
selves,  of  doing  our  best  to  leave  a  desirable  form  of 
government — an  ideal  form — to  those  who  shall  come 
after  us.  And  moreover  some  of  us  may  reasonably 
hope  that  we  shall  escape  the  enemy's  arms  and  the 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  287 

sickness  of  the  camp,  and  enjoy  for  a  time,  at  least,  that 
desirable  existence  which  the  war  is  being  waged  to 
secure.  But  each  of  us  that  attains  to  a  ripe  age,  as 
the  years  pass  by  and  his  thoughts  turn  to  the  scenes 
of  the  war,  will  remember  with  sadness  that  his  com 
pany  left  a  comrade  upon  this  field  and  another  upon 
that.  And  those  of  us  whose  heads  are  now  filled  with 
youthful  thoughts  will  be  crowned  with  hoary  hairs, 
and  instead  of  bounding  over  the  plain  as  now,  a  staff 
will  be  used  to  assist  locomotion.  What  a  mystery  is 
life! 

We  come  to  the  final  remark,  that  our  young  soldiers 
who  are  cut  off  when  life  is  sweetest,  and  going  down 
to  their  graves  by  the  thousand  almost  daily,  have  no 
Alcestis  to  die  for  them.  But  they  have  proved  them 
selves  as  generous  as  Alcestis,  for  they  have  laid  down 
their  lives  for  the  living  and  unborn  millions  of  their 
race.  If  life  on  the  average  is  desirable  or  worth  liv 
ing,  what  an  immensely  greater  amount  of  happiness 
there  might  be  if  the  aged,  who  have  but  a  short  term 
of  years  before  them,  could  die  for  the  young.  But 
the  gift  of  life  scarcely  anyone  desires  to  part  with, 
though  he  knows  he  can  retain  it  only  for  a  short 
period.  The  old  will  never  be  sacrificed  in  war  that 
the  young  may  live  the  natural  periods  of  their  lives. 
The  strongest  and  best  must  always  do  the  fighting. 

Information  was  received  at  this  post  on  the  10th, 
that  General  Cooper's  command  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Arkansas  river  has  moved  back  about  fifteen 
miles.  Two  women  who  brought  this  information 


MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 


claim  to  have  been  detained  in  the  camp  of  the  rebels 
about  a  week  ;  but  they  do  not  complain  of  any  dis 
courteous  treatment.  They  think  that  the  enemy 
were  about  to  make  some  important  movement,  and 
that  their  detention  was  to  prevent  them  from  advis 
ing  us  anything  concerning  it.  Even  if  the  main 
body  has  left,  it  is  probable  that  a  force  deemed  suffi 
cient  to  guard  the  fords  of  the  river  and  to  watch  our 
movements,  will  remain.  As  they  have  no  particular 
point  to  hold,  we  can  see  no  forcible  reason  why  they 
should  be  content  to  stay  in  camp  all  summer  within 
sight  of  us.  But  the  movement  they  are  reported  to 
have  just  made,  does  not  seem  to  be  an  aggressive  one, 
though  it  may  turn  out  to  be  such.  It  is  possible  that 
they  have  moved  their  camp  to  a  place  where  they 
will  have  better  grazing  facilities  for  their  animals., 
"We  need  not  suppose  that  their  horses  will  stand  hard 
service  on  grass  any  better  than  ours.  If  their  ani 
mals  have  any  advantage  over  ours,  it  is  probably  due 
to  the  fact,  that  they  were  kept  at  places  during  the 
winter  where  plenty  of  hay  and  corn  were  put  up  for 
their  use.  Their  horses  may  have  had  some  slight 
advantage  too,  by  having  had  good  grazing  several 
weeks  earlier  than  ours.  As  the  country  in  their  rear 
towards  Texas,  is  not  infested  with  union  guerrillas, 
as  the  country  in  our  rear  is  with  rebel  guerrillas  ; 
and  as  their  supply  trains,  if  they  have  any,  are  not 
annoyed  by  our  troops,  their  cavalry  horses  have  noth 
ing  like  the  current  hard  service  to  perform  that  ours 
have.  Biit  we  hope  that  this  state  of  things  will  be 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1883.  289 

all  changed  in  a  few  weeks,  that  we  shall  have  troops 
enough  down  here  to  take  the  offensive,  and  put  the 
enemy  to  looking  out  for  the  safety  of  their  trains, 
etc.  We  believe  that  they  will  find  that  we  can  and 
will  act  as  vigorously  on  the  offensive  as  on  the  defen 
sive,  and  that  their  lease  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
river  is  almost  at  an  end.  If  Colonel  Phillips  should 
get  reinforcements  soon,  he  would  no  doubt  cross  the 
river  and  attack  General  Cooper  in  his  camp.  If  suc 
cessful,  this  would  be  better  than  forcing  him  to  de 
tach  a  portion  of  his  troops  for  the  protection  of  his 
supply  trains.  ^ 

A  rebel  reconnoitering  force  of  about  two  hundred 
men  were  on  the  opposite  side  of  Grand  river  thi& 
morning,  probably  not  more  than  three  miles  from 
this  post.  They  have  ascertained  that  we  have  no- 
force  on  the  west  side  at  present,  and  that  the  river 
here  is  so  high  that  we  cannot  use  the  two  little  flat- 
boats  to  take  over  a  cavalry  force,  and  that  they  can 
sport  around  with  impunity  almost  within  sight  of 
the  guns  of  the  fort.  As  the  Arkansas  and  Verdigris 
Rivers  are  both  fordable,  they  know  it  would  not  be 
difficult  to  escape,  even  if  we  should  send  a  force  in 
pursuit  of  them.  They  may  have  been  making  a 
kind  of  survey  of  the  situation,  with  the  view  of  see 
ing  if  their  batteries  could  be  used  against  us  with 
much  advantage  from  the  west  side.  It  is  the  impres 
sion  of  our  officers  that  they  could  not.  The  opposite 
heights,  we  believe,  are  too  distant  even  for  the  best 
long  range  rifled  guns  to  be  very  effective  against  our 
19 


290  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

works  on  the  bluff.  And  supposing  that  they  should 
hammer  away  at  our  fortifications  for  several  days, 
they  would  at  the  end  of  that  time  still  have  the  river 
to  cross,  which  we  should  warmly  contest,  whether 
they  attempted  to  ford  it,  or  should  bring  pontoons  to 
throw  across  it.  When  the  river  is  low  enough 
for  a  few  hundred  yards  above  or  below  the  fortifica 
tions,  and  the  enemy  should  attempt  to  force  either  of 
these  crossings,  we  could  quickly  throw  up  tempor 
ary  breastworks  to  cover  our  battery,  and  with  grape 
and  canister  inflict  a  heavy  loss  upon  them  before 
they  got  over.  But  I  will  not  state  farther  what  we 
could  do  in  an  event  that  is  not  likely  to  occur.  It 
is  barely  possible,  however,  that  Generals  Cooper  and 
Cabell  have  contemplated  joining  forces  to  reduce 
this  place. 

Several  loyal  Cherokee  women,  who  have  just  arrived 
from  near  Cincinnati,a  small  place  about  sixty  miles  east 
of  this  post,  on  the  State  line,  report  that  a  large  force 
of  the  enemy,  perhaps  upwards  of  a  thousand  strong, 
were  encamped  at  that  point  a  few  days  ago.  These 
women  state  that  the  enemy  were  all  white  troops,  and 
appeared  to  be  moving  northward.  We  think  that 
this  is  a  party  of  General  Cabell's  force,  which  has 
been  operating  in  western  Arkansas  during  the  last 
month.  Should  General  Cabell  undertake  to  co-oper 
ate  with  General  Cooper,  Colonel  Phillips  will  have 
his  hands  full.  This  movement  to  the  east  of  us,  and 
right  on  the  line  of  the  Nation,  looks  somewhat  as  if 
the  enemy  intended  to  be  in  readiness  by  the  time 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  291 

our  next  supply  train  comes  down  in  about  two  weeks. 
They  have  commenced  to  set  their  toils  early.  A  cav 
alry  force  can  inarch  in  a  day  and  night  from  the 
Arkansas  line  to  any  point  on  the  Grand  River,  and 
thus  easily  co-operate  with  any  force  General  Cooper 
might  send  to  the  west  of  us.  Instead  of  making  a 
demonstration  against  the  troops  here,  it  seems  to  be 
the  intention  of  the  enemy  to  withdraw  to  a  conven 
ient  distance,  so  that  our  supply  train  will  attempt  to 
come  through  without  our  reinforcing  its  escort.  If 
they  make  another  effort  to  capture  it,  as  they  doubt 
less  will,  we  may  count  upon  their  coming  better  pre 
pared  than  last  month.  We  shall  also  probably  be 
better  prepared  to  defend  the  train. 

The  few  small  patches  of  wheat  that  were  sown  last 
fall,  by  a  good  many  families,  in  different  parts  of  the 
Nation,  are  now  just  beginning  to  be  harvested  by 
the  Indians.  The  season  has  been  favorable,  and  the 
yield  fair  to  the  acreage.  Beyond  fifteen  or  twenty 
miles  from  this  post,  it  is  regarded  as  very  dangerous 
for  the  men  to  work  in  their  fields  without  guards  for 
protection.  An  Indian  is  in  his  natural  element  when 
he  has  an  opportunity  of  sneaking  upon  hts  foe,  and 
there  are  many  rebel  Indians  who  have  returned  for  this 
purpose.  They  regard  this  as  a  good  time  to  get  even 
on  old  grudges,  which  may  have  existed  between  their 
grandfathers  in  Tennessee  or  Georgia.  The  way  the 
harvesters  arranged  it,  is,  I  believe,  for  four  or  five  or  a 
half  dozen  men  to  combine  to  assist  each  other.  About 
half  of  the  party  works  while  the  other  half  stands 


292  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

guard.  It  is  thought  that  there  has  been  enough 
wheat  grown  in  the  nation  this  season,  which,  if  care 
fully  harvested,  will  go  far  towards  subsisting  the  In 
dian  families,  thus  dispensing  with  the  necessity  of 
their  being  refugees  about  our  camp,  and  fed  by  the 
Government.  Colonel  Phillips  is  disposed  to  aiford 
them  ail  the  protection  he  can,  while  they  are  engaged 
in  harvesting  their  wheat  crop,  by  keeping  the  country 
as  free  of  the  enemy  as  possible.  A  dispatch  was  re 
ceived  on  the  14th  instant,  from  Major  Foreman,  who 
was  sent  out  a  few  days  ago,  with  a  force  of  about 
three  hundred  and  twenty-five  Indians  and  white  men 
stating  that  he  is  in  hot  pursuit  of  Stand wai tie's  Indi 
ans,  who  for  upwards  of  a  week,  have  been  commit 
ting  numerous  depredations  in  the  country  to  the 
northeast  of  us.  While  Standwaitie  is  permitted  to 
remain  in  the  nation,  most  of  his  followers  return  to 
their  homes  in  the  section  in  which  he  operates,  and 
coming  in  contact  with  some  of  our  loyal  Indians, 
who  have  also  returned  to  their  homes,  a  kind  of  pri 
vate  war  springs  up  between  the  belligerent  parties, 
generally  resulting  in  bloody  contests.  The  reputa. 
tion  Major  Foreman  has  as  a  fighting  officer,  justifies 
us  in  believing  that  he  would  either  bring  the  rebel 
Indians  to  an  engagement,  or  drive  them  out  of  the 
Nation.  But  from  the  information  received,  it  does 
not  seem  likely  that  they  will  make  a  stand  north  of 
the  Arkansas  River.  They  have  shown  very  little  dis 
position  to  come  into  a  square  fight. 

Colonel  Wattles,  of  the  First  Indian  regiment,  who 


ON  THE  BOKDER-1863.  293 

was  sent  out  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  with  a  force 
of  about  three  hundred  men,  to  make  a  reconnoissance 
for  a  distance  of  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  along  the  north 
side  of  the  Arkansas  to  the  east  of  us,  met  a  force  of 
the  enemy  the  next  morning,  about  equal  to  his  own, 
near  Green  Leaf  Prairie,  some  ten  miles  east.  Through 
his  scouts,  Colonel  Phillips  had  heard  of  this  force  of 
the  enemy,  and  knew  that  it  was  not  much,  if  any,  su 
perior  to  the  force  under  Colonel  Wattles.  "Well,  the 
two  forces  having  met,  a  fight  or  the  flight  of  one 
party  was  of  course  inevitable.  But  the  two  opposing 
forces  determined  to  test  each  other's  strength  and 
bravery.  The  enemy  posted  themselves  in  the  woods, 
near  the  road  leading  to  Webber's  Falls,  in  a  rather 
advantageous  position,  and  seemed  to  wish  our  troops 
to  commence  the  attack,  which  they  did  very  soon. 
Colonel  Wattles  did  not,  however,  commence  the  at 
tack  directly  in  front,  as  the  enemy  desired,  but  threw 
out  skirmishers,  and  commenced  a  movement  to  turn 
the  enemy's  right  flank.  By  this  movement  our  troops 
had  the  shelter  of  the  woods  as  well  as  the  enemy. 
Our  force  now  having  gained  as  good  a  position  as  that 
held  by  the  enemy,  the  skirmish  line  was  advanced, 
followed  by  the  other  troops  in  line,  about  two  hun 
dred  yards  back.  The  enemy,  after  some  firing  at  dif 
ferent  points  along  the  skirmish  line,  forced  it  back 
upon  our  main  line.  But  he  did  not  come  dashing 
furiously  along  with  drawn  swords,  with  the  deter 
mination  of  breaking  through  our  ranks.  Nor  did 
our  troops  move  forward  like  a  hurricane,  but  rather 


29±  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

steadily  until  the  enemy  commenced  to  fall  back. 
There  was  very  little  dash  displayed  on  either  side. 

The  position  of  the  enemy  at  this  point,  according 
to  the  account  of  an  eyewitness,  was  just  such  a  one  as 
Colonel  Jewell  would  have  delighted  to  have  had, 
were  he  living  and  had  been  on  the  field: 
He  would  have  said:  "Men,  are  your  car 
bines  and  revolvers  in  perfect  order?  Do  you  see  the 
enemy  there?  Unsheath  sabres,  follow  me."  And  in  an 
instant  he  would  have  swept  like  a  storm  through  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy,  and  few  of  them  would  have  es 
caped  the  edges  of  our  swords.  He  could  instantly 
seize  the  situation,  and  there  was  no  dallying  with  the 
foe  afterwards. 

After  the  skirmishing  and  fighting,  which  lasted 
upwards  of  an  hour,  the  enemy  retreated  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Webber's  Falls,  having  had  a  number  of  men 
wounded. 

Our  casualties  were:  one  man  killed,  seven  wounded 
and  five  taken  prisoners.  The  five  men  taken  prison 
ers  belonged  to  the  battalion  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry, 
and  were  not  captured  in  the  engagement,  but  while  on 
their  way  down  to  join  Colonel  Wattles.  They  ex 
pected  to  find  our  troops  at  a  certain  place,  but 
instead  found  the  enemy,  and  were  right  in  his  midst 
before  discovering  their  mistake.  Some  of  our  impet 
uous  white  soldiers,  when  they  hear  of  a  prospective 
fight,  get  permission,  and  rush  away  to  take  a  hand  in 
it,  instead  of  waiting  to  take  their  proper  places  in 
their  companies.  While  we  admire  their  bravery,  we 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  295 

are  sometimes  called  upon  to  condemn  their  rashness 
and  indiscretion. 

As  soon  as  a  messenger  came  in  and  reported  that 
the  force  under  Colonel  Wattles  had  been  fighting  the 
enemy  at  Green  Leaf,  and  were  falling  back,  Colonel 
Phillips  immediately  sent  out  Lieutenant-Colonel  F. 
W.  Shaurtie  with  two  hundred  men — mostly  Indians — 
to  relieve  Colonel  Wattles.  But  the  reinforcements 
had  not  marched  more  than  half  way  to  the  place 
where  the  engagement  occurred,  when  they  were  met 
by  the  force  under  Colonel  Wattles  returning  to  this 
post.  The  enemy  and  our  troops  had  turned  their 
heels  on  each  other.  Through  his  scouts  Colonel  Phil 
lips  knew  very  nearly  the  exact  strength  of  the  enemy, 
and  he  was  not  at  all  satisfied  with  the  conduct  of 
Colonel  Wattles. 

The  enemy's  pickets  and  ours  were  in  swimming  to 
gether  in  the  Arkansas  on  the  19th  instant.  Though 
they  agreed  beforehand  that  they  would  not  endeavor 
to  take  advantage  of  each  other,  yet  they  were  cautious 
not  to  come  nearer  than  a  rod  of  each  other,  and  the 
men  of  each  party  took  care  to  keep  nearest  the  water's 
edge  of  their  own  side  of  the  river.  The  next  day 
they  were  less  distrustful  of  each  other,  and  an  equal 
number  of  men  from  each  side  had  a  friendly  confer 
ence  in  the  middle  of  the  Arkansas.  The  two  parties 
talked  for  sometime  in  a  good-natured  manner  of  the 
various  contests  in  which  each  had  participated,  of 
some  relative  or  friend  who  was  taken  prisoner  in  such 
an  engagement;  of  the  prospects  of  the  war,  and  of 


296  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

the  operations  of  the  armies  in  the  east.  By  an  agree 
ment  of  the  first  day's  conference,  the  rebel  soldiers 
were  to-day  to  bring  some  tobacco,  and  our  soldiers 
some  coffee,  for  exchange  with  each  other.  Both  par 
ties  kept  their  promises,  and  at  the  meeting  on  the 
20th,  exchanged  their  coffee  and  tobacco  with  each 
other  in  the  middle  of  the  river.  As  I  was  acquainted 
with  our  river  patrol,  I  had  the  curiosity  to  witness 
the  meeting.  At  this  conference  the  rebel  soldiers  men 
tioned  of  having  the  five  white  prisoners  captured  by 
their  forces  at  Green  Leaf,  on  the  16th  instant.  They 
also  in  the  course  of  the  conversation  said  that  there 
had  recently  been  a  good  many  desertions  from  their 
army,  and  that  four  men  who  were  tried  not  long  since 
for  desertion,  have  been  found  guilty  and  sentenced 
to  be  shot,  and  that  the  sentence  is  expected  to  be 
carried  into  effect  in  a  few  days.  From  what  we  have 
frequently  heard,  I  believe  that  the  rebels  are  more 
rigid  in  their  punishment  of  deserters  than  the  mili 
tary  authorities  in  our  armies,  although  with  us  the 
penalty  is  death  for  desertion  in  time  of  war.  With 
us  there  is  not  much  trouble  taken  to  find  deserters, 
and  bring  them  to  trial.  I  have  been  with  our  army 
on  the  border  and  in  this  territory  now  nearly  two 
years,  and  there  has  not  yet  been  a  deserter  from  the 
troops  with  which  I  have  been  serving,  caught,  tried, 
condemned  and  executed  to  my  knowledge.  We  have 
had  a  small  number  of  desertions  during  this  period. 
It  is  possible,  however,  that  there  have  been  some  exe 
cutions  for  desertion  at  Forts  Scott  and  Leaven  worth, 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  297 

as  the  courts-martial  for  the  trial  ol  deserters  have  gen 
erally  been  convened  at  those  posts.  There  is  such  a 
sentiment  against  inflicting  the  death  penalty,  even  in 
cases  where  the  charge  is  murder,  that  I  have  no  doubt 
but  that  there  are  officers  who  would  prefer,  if  the  dis 
charge  of  their  duties  permitted,  to  be  relieved  from 
the  disagreeable  duty  of  approving  the  findings  of  the 
court  in  case  of  desertion.  It  is  highly  gratifying  to 
note  the  spreading  of  this  more  humane  sentiment. 
There  is  a  tendency  of  our  Government  not  to  punish 
its  soldiers  so  rigorously  as  formerly  for  certain 
offenses.  Flogging  has  been  abolished  in  the  army 
and  navy  since  the  war  commenced,  and  no  one  will 
contend  that  the  morale  of  our  army  has  suffered  in 
consequence.  It  was  a  barbarous  practice,  and  origina 
ted  in  a  less  enlightened  age  than  this.  Indeed,  I  doubt 
whether  there  ever  was  an  army  that  was  composed  of 
more  true  gentlemen  than  is  our  army  at  this  moment. 
Supposing  that  the  law  had  remained  on  the  statutes 
permitting  an  upstart  of  an  officer  to  have  a  soldier 
flogged  for  any  petty  offense,  imaginary  or  real,  and 
thousands  of  patriotic  men  throughout  the  country 
would  not  have  so  readily  come  forward  and  offered 
their  services  to  the  Government?  A  government  that 
recognizes  the  manly  spirit  of  its  citizen  soldiery,  will 
lose  nothing  by  treating  them  as  men  in  the  end. 
There  must  of  course  be  discipline;  for  there  has  not 
yet  probably  been  a  single  regiment  organized  for  the 
war,  into  which  there  has  not  enlisted  several  regular 
dead  'beats.  But  men  of  this  class  who  persist  in  vio- 


298  MEMOIKS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

lating  law  and  order,  as  soon  as  their  true  characters 
are  known,  should  be  drummed  out  of  the  service  in 
disgrace,  or  if  their  offenses  demand  a  greater  punish- 
mens,  confined  in  military  prisons  for  definite  periods. 
But  even  these  hard  characters  the  lash  and  buck  and 
gagging,  are  not  likely  to  make  better.  "What  their 
prison  discipline  should  be  I  am  not  prepared  to  say, 
except  that  I  believe  it  should  be  of  such  a  nature  as 
would  have  a  tendency  to  reform  them  instead  of  hard 
ening  their  perverse  natures. 

Colonel  Phillips  sent  out  Major  Foreman  on  the 
20th  instant,  with  a  force  of  about  six  hundred  men 
and  one  twelve-pound  howitzer,  to  meet  our  supply 
train,  which  has  probably  left  Fort  Scott,  and  is  now 
on  the  way  down.  II  it  is  not  delayed  by  high  water 
at  the  crossing  of  the  Neosho  River,  he  should  meet  it 
between  that  point  and  Cabin  Creek.  He  will  have 
time  to  march  leisurely,  and  to  send  out  scouting  par 
ties  to  the  east  and  west  of  his  column  to  ascertain  if 
the  enemy  have  as  yet  shown  any  signs  of  activity  in 
the  country  above  here,  with  the  view  of  making  an 
other  effort  to  capture  our  train. 

From  information  received  from  the  enemy's  camp 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  it  is  evident  that  they 
are  making  preparations  to  attack  our  train  at  some 
point  above  this  post.  There  was  great  activity  in 
their  camp  yesterday,  and  last  night  they  sent  out  two 
strong  columns  of  cavalry,  one  of  which  is  to  pass  to 
the  east  of  us  and  the  other  to  the  west  of  us.  Our 
scouts  are  watching  them  closely,  and  Colonel  Phil- 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  299 

lips  is  advised  of  every  movement  they  make.  The 
force  that  moves  to  the  east  of  us,  it  is  reported,  in 
tends  to  join  General  Cabell,  who  has  about  fifteen 
hundred  men  and  several  pieces  of  artillery  at  a  point 
between  the  Arkansas  line,  near  Cincinnati,  and  Grand 
Kiver.  Though  we  do  not  know  their  exact  intentions, 
everything  points  to  their  intention  of  concentrating 
all  their  mounted  forces  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cabin 
Creek,  and  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  train  and  escort. 
Should  our  troops  guarding  the  train  find  the  enemy 
too  strongly  posted  at  this  point  on  the  west  side  to  be 
able  to  dislodge  them,  and  attempt  to  cross  Grand  River 
at  Grand  Saline  and  come  down  on  the  east  side, 
General  Cabell  will  be  on  hand  to  thwart  the  move 
ment,  or  he  may  cross  the  river  and  join  General 
Cooper's  force  on  the  west  side.  They,  no  doubt, 
think  that  they  have  us  in  a  tight  place,  and  that  they 
will  certainly  succeed  this  time  in  taking  our  rations 
from  us.  But  our  officers  are  not  asleep  and  ignorant 
of  their  movements  and  designs.  They  will  have  to 
fight  harder  and  show  greater  deeds  of  valor  than  be 
fore  if  they  come  off  victorious  in  the  contest  for  the 
prize. 

There  is  an  old  Indian  prophet,  fortune  teller  and 
medicine  man  at  this  post,  who  sometimes  has  crowds 
of  silly  clients  around  him,  desiring  him  to  forecast 
the  future  for  them.  Their  faith  in  his  nonsensical 
performance  is  remarkable.  The  belief  that  certain 
persons  are  gifted  with  prophecy,  that  they  can  raise 
the  curtain  and  peer  into  the  future,  and  read  trifling 


-300  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

incidents  in  regard  to  ]ove  scrapes,  fortunes,  friends 
lost,  &c.,  is  wide  spread,  and  quite  common  among 
•every  people  whose  history  is  known  to  us.  The  In 
dians  here  are  no  more  superstitious  in  this  respect 
than  the  white  people  in  the  most  intelligent  portions 
-of  the  country,  and  even  in  the  most  intellectual  cen 
tres.  In  nearly  all  the  newspapers  that  come  to  us 
from  the  great  cities  of  the  country,  may  be  seen  ad 
vertisements  of  u  Fortune  Tellers" — "your  future  told 
by  astrology,"  "  clairvoyance,"  "  or  cards."  These 
people  must  have  customers,  or  they  could  not  afford 
to  pay  for  their  advertisements.  And  their  advertise 
ments  indicate  that  they  get  their  living  by  fortune 
telling,  which  we  know  is  the  case.  Even  here  in  the 
far  west,  there  is  probably  not  a  single  family  that 
has  been  living  in  the  country  half  a  dozen  years, 
that  has  not  been  visited  by  wandering  gypsies  on  for 
tune  telling  business. 

But  to  return  to  my  Indian  prophet.  He  prepares 
a  poultice  from  different  kinds  of  herbs,  and  applies  it 
to  his  head  during  the  night.  It  is  stated  by  those 
who  are  somewhat  familiar  with  him,  that  he  takes 
into  his  stomach  a  certain  quantity  of  the  juice  of  these 
herbs.  Any  way,  it  is  said  that  the  herbs  affect  his 
nervous  system  and  mind  in  some  mysterious  man 
ner  so  that  he  has  very  vivid  dreams  and  a  kind  of 
nervous  exaltation.  And  even  after  he  awakens  he  ac 
tually  has,  or  feigns  to  have,  a  wild,  wierd  look.  It 
is  in  this  state  that  he  affects  to  read  the  future  to  those 
around  him,  whose  relaxed  jaws  and  raised  eyebrows 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  301 

show  their  faith  in  him.  To  be  fully  equipped  as  a 
prophet,  it  has  been  suggested  that  he  should  have  a 
witch's  cauldron  filled  with  frogs'  feet,  the  beaks  of 
birds  and  claws  of  wild  animals,  and  stir  them,  mut 
tering  cabalistic  words. 


CHAPTEE   XYI. 

The  rebel  pickets  shout  across  the  river  that  the  Federal  supply 
train  is  coming — Another  rebel  force  gone  to  meet  the  Federal 
supply  train— Movements  of  the  Confederate  armies  in 
the  East  as  reported  by  rebel  pickets— Vicksburg  closely  in 
vested  by  General  Grant — Federal  troops  in  southwest  Mis. 
souri — Federal  supply  train  detained  by  high  water  at  Neo- 
sho  River — Federal  supplies  running  short  at  Fort  Gibson — 
High  water  in  Grand  River — Indian  women  report  heavy  fir- 
ing  in  the  vicinity  of  Cabin  Creek— General  Cabell  on  the  east 
side  of  Grand  River,  near  Cabin  Creek,  with  artillery— The 
suspense — A  National  Salute  fired  in  honor  of  Independence 
Day — Beef  and  Beans  for  barbecue — The  pinch  of  hunger — 
Horses  and  dead  rebels  floating  in  the  river — Two  days'  fight 
ing  at  Cabin  Creek — Gallant  charge  of  the  Colored  regiment — 
Total  rout  of  the  enemy— How  the  Federal  troops  crossed 
Cabin  Creek  under  fire — General  Cabell  unable  to  join  General 
Cooper's  division  on  account  of  high  water — Arrival  of  sup 
ply  train  at  Fort  Gibson. 

The  rebel  pickets  shouted  across  the  river  on  the 
24th  instant,  that  our  commissary  train  was  on  the 
way  down,  and  that  Colonel  Dodd  was  commanding  the 
escort  to  it,  which  is  composed  of  two  infantry  regi 
ments  and  four  pieces  of  artillery.  This  is  really  news 
to  our  officers  here,  as  we  have  not  heard  what  troops 
and  how  strong  a  force  would  guard  it  down.  Our 
hostile  neighbors  across  the  river  seem  to  be  better  in- 


ON   THE   BORDER— 1863.  3Q3 

formed  of  the  movements  of  our  train  and  troops  in 
the  country  above  than  we  are.  Livingston,  the  guer 
rilla  chieftain,  whom  I  have  frequently  mentioned  as 
operating  in  the  vicinity  of  Baxter  Springs,  it  is 
thought  sends  couriers  to  General  Cooper  every  three 
or  four  days,  and  that  they  must  either  travel  at  night 
or  take  a  route  not  much  frequented  by  our  troops. 
If  Colonel  Phillips  would  have  carefully  posted  at 
half  a  dozen  points  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  above 
here,  say  three  men  at  each  station,  well  armed  and 
mounted  on  good  horses,  I  believe  that  the  enemy's 
dispatch  bearers  could  be  captured. 

A  large  part  of  the  remaining  force  of  the  enemy 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Arkansas  made  a  movement 
in  some  direction  on  the  25th.  Their  pickets  intimate 
that  this  force  has  marched  out  to  join  the  cavalry 
General  Cooper  sent  out  a  few  days  ago  to  attack  our 
train.  That  their  pickets  should  venture  to  refer  to 
the  movements  of  this  force  in  connection  with  our 
train  looks  as  if  they  feel  very  confident  of  success,  or 
else  believe  that  we  are  r>erfectly  advised  of  all  their 
movements. 

It  is  now  reported  by  our  scouts  that  most  of  the 
enemy's  camp  has  been  removed  back  to  Elk  Creek, 
some  twenty  miles  south  of  this  post.  This  explains 
the  activity  noticed  in  their  camp  on  the  25th  instant. 
Should  we  endeavor  to  cross  the  river  and  compel  the 
flight  of  the  detachments  guarding  the  different  fords, 
they  would  endeavor  to  warn  their  baggage  trains  at 
Elk  Creek  by  signals,  so  that  they  could  be  moving 


304  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

south,  several  hours  before  we  could  reach  that  point. 
The  troops  of  this  division,  however,  are  too  busily 
engaged  elsewhere  to  make  a  dash  on  the  enemy's 
camp. 

The  rebel  pickets  on  Sunday,  28th  instant,  stated  that 
they  had  just  heard  that  the  Confederate  army  in  the 
east,  under  General  Lee,  has  recently  gained  a  great 
victory  over  the  Federal  army,  and  that  our  army  has 
fallen  back  to  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Washington. 
They  also  stated  that  General  Lee  is  preparing  for  an 
other  invasion  of  Maryland,  and  intends  entering 
Pennsylvania  with  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia, 
with  the  view  of  capturing  Philadelphia  and  Balti 
more.  Though,  in  our  isolation  here,  news  from  the 
East  is  a  long  time  reaching  us,  yet  that  which  comes 
shows  that  both  the  Federal  and  Confederate  armies 
are  displaying  great  activity,  and  that  a  great  conflict 
is  imminent.  The  loss  of  a  great  battle  now,  or  the 
capture  by  the  enemy  of  either  of  the  large  cities 
above  mentioned,  would  be  extremely  damaging  to 
our  cause,  and  I  know  that  thousands  of  loyal  hearts 
are  trembling  in  regard  to  the  impending  result. 
Our  defeat  would  encourage  the  faint  hearted,  and 
those  in  the  North  who  have  all  along  opposed  the 
war,  to  cry  for  peace  at  almost  any  price.  Our  forces, 
under  General  Grant,  are  still  besieging  Yicksburg, 
and  our  lines  are  tightening  around  the  enemy  there. 
We  may  expect  to  hear  of  some  definite  action  at  that 
place  shortly,  as  the  enemy  have  now  run  short  of 
supplies,  with  very  little  hope  of  being  provisioned 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  305 

again,  as  they  are  surrounded  from  all  sides,  and  there 
fore  completely  isolated  from  other  divisions  of  the 
rebel  army.  It  seems  that  General  Grant  has  not  re 
laxed  his  grasp  in  the  slightest  degree  since  he  com 
menced  the  siege.  He  has  perhaps  nearly  a  hundred 
thousand  men,  and  has  already  made  several  furious 
assaults  on  the  enemy's  works.  The  capture  of  Yicks- 
burg  and  opening  of  the  Mississippi  Eiver  to  the  Gulf, 
will  break  the  backbone  of  the  Confederacy  in  the 
West,  if  not  indeed  of  the  entire  South.  When  the 
Confederacy  shall  thus  be  cut  into  two  nearly  equal 
divisions,  there  can  be  very  little  co-operation  between 
the  eastern  and  western  Rebel  armies. 

And  should  reinforcements  of  a  thousand  or  so  men 
come  down  with  our  train  the  enemy  in  our  from  wi«ll 
not  likely  occupy  their  position  on  the  south  side 
much  longer.  What  a  grand  idea  it  would  be  if  our 
forces,  when  the  half  year  is  up,  could  make  an  ad 
vance  all  along  our  lines,  east  and  west,  and  overthrow 
the  enemy  at  every  point. 

Several  Indian  women  who  have  just  arrived  from 
near  the  Arkansas  line  a  few  miles  south  of  Maysville, 
state  that  it  was  currently  reported  when  they  left,  that 
General  Brown,  commanding  the  Missouri  State  troops 
in  southwest  Missouri,  recently  had  a  fight  with  Gen 
eral  Marmaduke's  cavalry  and  defeated  it  with  consid- 
able  loss.  We  do  not  hear  much  about  the  movements 
of  our  troops  southwest  of  Springfield  and  around 
Cassville,  but  hope  that  they  have  not  been  idle.  We 
have  expected  however,  that  they  would  have  moved 
20 


'306  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

forward  and  re-occupied  Fayetteville  before  this.  Had 
they  done  so  a  month  ago,  it  would  have  relieved  us  of 
the  necessity  of  lining  so  many  of  the  troops  of  this 
command  in  watching  the  movements  of  the  enemy 
along  the  Arkansas  line  to  the  east  of  us,  and  our  iso 
lation  would  not  have  been  so  complete  as  it  is  at  pres- 
eent.  Even  at  this  moment  it  is  probable  that  a  force 
of  the  enemy  is  moving  from  Arkansas  northeast  of 
us,  to  attack  our  supply  train.  If  there  are  as  many 
volunteer  troops  in  Southwest  Missouri  as  there  were 
nearly  two  months  ago  when  I  was  at  Cassville,  it  is 
surely  strange  that  the  Department  Commander  does 
not  permit  them  to  march  into  Arkansas  and  seek  the 
enemy.  At  any  rate  a  large  infantry  force  is  not  re 
quired  in  Southwest  Missouri. 

A  dispatch  from  Major  Foreman  states  that  our 
commissary  train  was  detained  on  the  north  side  of 
the  Neosho  river,  on  account  of  high  water.  He 
thought,  however,  that  it  would  be  able  to  cross  in  an 
other  day,  provided  no  other  recent  heavy  rains  have 
fallen  upon  the  region  which  that  river  drains.  If  it 
crossed  that  stream  as  he  predicted,  it  is  now  within  a 
day's  march  of  Cabin  Creek,  where  we  anticipate  it 
will  be  attacked  by  the  enemy.  All  the  detachments 
that  Colonel  Phillips  has  sent  out  to  make  reconnois- 
sances  within  the  past  two  days,  report  having  discov 
ered  signs  of  trails  through  the  prairie,  whioh  show 
that  the  enemy  have  marched  in  several  strong  divi 
sions,  to  some  point  thirty  or  forty  miles  above  this 
place.  They  have  had  a  month  to  make  prepara- 


ON   THE   BORDER— 1863.  307 

tions  for  this  event,  and  no  doubt  will  make  a  heroic 
effort  to  accomplish  their  purpose.  Their  cavalry 
horses  are  reported  to  be  in.  better  condition  than  ours, 
having  had  less  hard  service  to  perform  during  the 
spring  than  ours.  And  they  have  an  advantage  in 
being  able  to  choose  whatever  position  they  wish. 

We  feel  quite  anxious  here  in  regard  to  the  result 
of  the  struggle,  which  will  doubtless  be  decided  in 
the  course  of  the  next  two  or  three  days.  We  are 
now,  and  have  been  for  some  ten  days,  issuing  to  the 
troops  at  this  post  less  than  half  rations  ;  a  thing 
that  has  not  occurred  before  in  that  division  of  the 
army  with  which  I  have  been  connected.  Our  hard 
bread  and  flour,  sugar,  tea  and  coffee,  are  nearly  ex 
hausted,  so  that  after  two  days  more  we  shall  have  to 
subsist  on  beans,  rice  and  fresh  beef.  Fortunately  we 
have  sufficient  salt  for  seasoning  purposes  for  perhaps 
ten  days  yet.  Fresh  beef  without  salt  would  likely  un 
dermine  the  health  of  our  troops  in  a  short  time.  A 
considerable  quantity  of  wheat  has  been  obtained  re 
cently,  which  under  a  stress  can  be  cooked  and  used 
for  food.  But  the  soldiers,  whites  and  Indians,  appear 
very  cheerful  ;  and  we  do  not  apprehend  that  we  shall 
be  obliged  to  kill  the  dogs,  and  mules  and  horses  here, 
before  our  provisions  reach  us.  The  shortness  of 
rations  and  the  isolation  of  our  position  sometimes 
causes  the  soldier  to  jocularly  refer  to  such  a  contin 
gency.  The  Indian  dogs  would  not  be  fit  for  any 
thing  except  soup,  as  there  is  very  little  flesh  on  their 
bones  ;  besides  they  are  generally  quite  small.  Pro- 


308  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

bably  nearly  every  boy,  soon  after  he  begins  to  read, 
drifts  into  reading  the  histories  of  wars  and  sieges. 
Nothing  can  be  more  interesting  to  the  young  mind 
of  the  budding  man,  j  udging  by  my  own  experience. 
Well,  as  we  are  into  the  same  kind  of  war  as  those  we 
used  to  read  about,  we  know  that  we  are  liable  to  be 
subjected  to  hardships  and  privations  as  severe  as  any 
of  those  mentioned  in  the  histories  we  read.  We  do  not 
absolutely  know  what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  But 
our  stomachs  would  rebel  against  such  food  as  the 
flesh  of  dogs,  and  mules  and  horses,  in  fact  absolutely 
refuse  it  for  some  days  yet.  While  a  dog's  flesh  is 
perhaps  equally  as  clean  as  that  of  a  hog,  our  educa 
tion  through  generations  has  been  such  that  we  refuse 
the  former  with  disgust,  almost  amounting  to  nausea, 
and  relish  the  latter  as  a  delicacy.  Horses  and  mules 
are  clean-feeding  animals,  indeed  as  much  so  as  sheep 
and  cattle  ;  yet  the  thought  of  having  to  use  their 
flesh  for  food,  would  almost  derange  the  appetite  of 
those  who  are  not  even  getting  their  full  rations.  If 
our  imaginations  did  not  act  so  powerfully  on  our 
stomachs,  I  cannot  see  why  the  flesh  of  these  animals, 
if  slaughtered  in  good  healthy  condition,  should  not 
be  as  wholesome  as  beef  and  mutton.  But  there  is 
an  old  saying,  "  That  which  is  one  man's  food,  is  an- 
other  man*s  poison." 

Grand  River  has  risen  considerably  since  June  29th, 
and  we  hear  that  there  have  been  heavy  rains  in  the 
direction  of  southern  Kansas  recently.  The  rise  in 
the  river  that  is  just  commencing  here  now,  is  proba- 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  309 

bly  from  the  same  rains  that  caused  the  big  rise  in 
the  Neosho,  and  detained  our  train  there  several  days. 
How  this  rise  in  the  Grand  Kiver  will  affect  the  opera 
tions  of  the  two  opposing  forces  above  here,  we  will 
know  in  a  few  days. 

Two  Indian  women  came  into  our  camp  July  1st 
from  a  section  about  fifteen  miles  north  of  Tahlaquah, 
and  they  report  that  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  com 
posed  of  cavalry"  and  artillery,  passed  their  places  yes 
terday  evening,  moving  westward  in  the  direction  of 
Grand  Saline.  This,  we  are  informed  through  our 
scouts,  is  the  force  I  mentioned  about  a  week  ago  as 
being  encamped  at  Cincinnati,  on  the  Arkansas  line, 
under  command  of  Brigadier-General  Cabell.  If  the 
enemy  arrive  on  the  ground  at  the  place  they  have 
chosen  to  make  the  attack,  as  they  doubtless  have,  be 
fore  our  troops  and  train  come  up,  they  will  be  able 
to  fortify  themselves  to  some  extent.  They  can  also 
make  a  thorough  survey  of  the  position  they  have 
chosen,  so  that  if  they  are  driven  from  one  point,  they 
will  have  another  position  equally  as  good  for  attack 
or  defense.  It  is  not  likely  that  they  feel  so  sure  of 
success,  that  they  will  not  leave  away  open  for  re 
treat. 

A  deserter  from  the  rebel  command,  now  encamped 
on  Elk  Creek,  was  brought  in  this  morning,  July  1st, 
and  he  states  that  just  before  he  left  the  enemy  on 
the  28th  ultimo,  General  Cooper  had  sent  out  another 
division  of  cavalry  to  join  the  force  that  had  gone 
out  several  days  previous.  He  says  that  they  are  very 


310  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

confident  of  success  this  time,  as  they  have  made 
great  preparations,  and  are  well  advised  of  the  move 
ments  of  the  train  and  escort  since  they  left  Fort 
Scott.  It  was  the  intention  of  the  first  division  that 
went  out,  he  thinks,  to  examine  all  the  positions  be 
tween  Flat  Rock  and  Cabin  Creek,  and  to  select  the 
one  which  would  be  the  most  advantageous  for  mak 
ing  the  attack.  An  experienced  engineer  officer  ac 
companied  them,  so  that  nothing  should  be  laking  to 
make  the  organization  of  the  expedition  complete. 

Well,  from  all  the  information  we  have  been  able  to 
obtain,  it  is  regarded  as  certain  that  the  enemy's  forces 
have  converged  at  a  point  about  forty  miles  above  here 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Cabin  Creek,  yesterday  even 
ing  (June  30th).  Our  train  and  escort,  according  to 
our  calculation,  should  arrive  there  July  1st,  perhaps 
in  the  afternoon.  The  contest  for  the  prize  will  soon 
have  been  settled.  As  it  is  now  eleven  days  since 
Major  Foreman  left  here  with  his  force  of  six  hundred 
men  and  one  twelve-pound  mountain  howitzer,  he  has 
had  ample  time  to  march  as  far  north  as  Hudson's 
Ford  on  the  Neosho,  or  perhaps  to  Baxter  Spring., 
fifteen  miles  still  further  north.  In  either  event  he 
will  probably  advise  Colonel  Williams,  commanding 
the  First  regiment  Kansas  colored  volunteers  at  Bax 
ter  Spring,  of  the  preparations  that  the  enemy  have  been 
making  to  capture  the  train.  As  Colonel  Williams 
has  the  reputation  of  being  a  gallant  officer,  and  as  he 
will  doubtless  be  anxious  to  give  his  colored  troops  an 
opportunity  of  displaying  their  valor  on  the  field,  we 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  311 

feel  quite  sure,  from  what  we  have  heard  of  him,  that, 
if  his  orders  are  not  too  positive  to  remain  where  he 
is,  he  will  accompany  the  train  with  his  regiment. 
At  such  a  time  as  this  he  should  not  be  hampered  with 
orders  that  would  keep  his  regiment  inactive  when  it 
is  needed,  within  the  hearing  of  booming  artillery. 
Though  there  is  still  some  prejudice  in  regard  to 
using  colored  soldiers  in  the  field  beside  white  sol 
diers,  and  though  I  think  that  this  prejudice  has  been 
somewhat  respected,  yet,  under  the  present  pressure,  I 
do  not  believe  that  any  serious  objection  will  be  made 
to  the  colored  regiment  coming  down  to  participate  in 
the  fight,  for  if  it  does,  the  proportion  of  white  troops 
will  be  less  than  Indians  and  colored  soldiers,  unless 
there  is  a  regiment  of  white  troops  along  that  we 
have  not  heard  of.  I  hope  that  Colonel  Williams  will 
be  permitted  to  bring  his  regiment  along,  and  that  his 
men  will  show  a  disposition  to  enter  the  lists  in  com 
petition  for  bravery,  if  the  enemy  make  the  attack 
which  we  believe  they  have  planned;  so  that  our  ene 
my  neighbors  across  the  river  may  become  fully  satis 
fied  that  colored  soldiers  are  not  myths. 

We  have  been  discussing  the  situation  at  Cabin 
Creek,  and  it  was  suggested  that  this  night  our  officers 
may  be  in  conference  concerning  the  plan  of  attack  or 
defense  for  the  morrow.  If  such  is  the  case,  we  hope 
that  their  deliberations  will  be  full  of  wisdom,  and 
that  they  may  have  strength  and  valor  to  carry  out 
their  plans. 

Another  day  has  dawned ;  the  sun  has  climbed  the' 


312  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

middle  sky  and  is  now  descending  low  on  the  western 
heights;  our  rations  are  well  nigh  exhausted,  and  our 
soldiers  are  beginning  to  feel  the  pinch  of  hunger.  I 
pause  a  moment  in  anxious  suspense. 

I  have  just  been  to  the  river,  and  I  find  that  it  has 
risen  nearly  two  feet  since  this  hour  yesterday  even 
ing.  Every  one  is  anxious  for  news  from  our  train 
and  troops,  for  it  is  regarded  as  quite  certain  that  an 
engagement  has  taken  place  or  is  in  progress.  Several 
Indian  women  who  have  just  arrived  from  Grand  Saline 
state  that  they  heard  artillery  and  musketry  firing  yes 
terday  evening  in  the  direction  of  Cabin  Creek.  They 
also  state  that  they  heard  of  a  large  force  of  the  enemy 
being  encamped  near  Grand  Saline,  who  were  unable 
to  cross  Grand  River  on  account  of  its  being  so  full, 
and  that  the  river  is  unusually  high  at  that  point  this 
season.  They  seem  to  have  been  much  frightened 
when  they  started,  and  came  as  quickly  as  possible, 
that  they  might  be  under  the  protection  of  Colonel 
Phillips,  and  learn  the  result  of  the  engagement,  as 
they  have  near  relatives  in  the  Third  Indian  regiment. 
Colonel  Phillips  has  watched  over  the  Indians  with  such 
solicitude,  that  the  men,  women  and  children  regard 
him  almost,  if  not  quite,  with  real  aifection.  They 
show  commendable  zeal,  too,  in  keeping  him  advised  of 
the  movements  of  the  enemy.  And  from  my  own 
observations  since  I  have  been  with  this  command,  I 
believe  it  would  have  been  impossible  for  any  other 
officer  to  have  won  such  affectionate  regard  from  these 
Indians. 


ON  THE  BOKDER-1863.  313 

To-day  (July  3rd)  was  very  quiet  along  the  Arkan 
sas;  the  enemy's  pickets  were  in  suspense  as  well  as 
our  troops  at  this  post.  They  do  not  even  seem  to 
have  heard  of  the  artillery  and  musketry  firing  of 
Wednesday  evening.  Or  if  they  have,  they  do  not 
care  to  say  anything  about  it.  If  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  expedition  has  sent  any  dispatches  back  to 
General  Cooper  at  Elk  Creek,  it  is  not  likely  that  they 
show  anything  definite  to  have  been  accomplished  when 
the  courier  left.  The  different  scouting  parties  that  Col 
onel  Phillips  has  sent  out  in  various  directions  the  last 
three  or  four  days,  who  have  returned,  report  that  the 
enemy  are  displaying  very  little  activity  around  us  at 
present.  Their  force  south  of  us  has  no  doubt  been 
reduced  quite  low  to  furnish  men  for  the  expedition 
that  has  gone  after  our  train.  If  we  had  means  of 
crossing  the  Arkansas,  and  a  regiment  of  cavalry  to 
spare,  it  would  be  a  good  time  to  make  a  dash  on  their 
camp.  The  river  has  continued  to  rise  since  yesterday 
evening,  and  is  now  quite  full  at  this  point.  It  is  not 
likely  that  it  has  been  fordable  at  any  point  between 
this  post  and  Grand  Saline  for  the  last  four  days. 

To-day  being  the  4rth,  or  Independence  Day,  a  na 
tional  salute  of  thirty-four  guns  was  fired  this  morn 
ing  at  sunrise,  by  Hopkins'  battery.  The  sunrise  was 
unusually  fine,  and  the  mountains  in  the  distance,  just 
before  the  first  rays  of  the  sun  fell  on  the  plain  below, 
seemed  more  charming  than  at  any  other  time  since 
we  have  been  encamped  here.  Though  we  have  not 
had  a  barbecue  to-dav  with  all  the  delicacies  of  the  sea- 


31  J:  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

son,  we  have  made  the  best  of  that  which  we  had. 
Most  of  the  messes  have  had  either  rice,  or  beans,  or 
hominy,  or  wheat,  with  coffee  and  fresh  beef.  There 
is,  perhaps,  some  slight  difference  in  fare  of  the  vari 
ous  messes  throughout  the  camp,  for  some  had  accu 
mulated  a  larger  surplus  of  rations  than  others  during 
the  past  month,  when  we  commenced  to  issue  a  re 
duced  ration  about  two  weeks  ago.  Men  are  economi 
cal  or  wasteful  in  their  army  life,  just  as  they  are  in 
their  every  day  life  around  their  homes.  The  food  we 
get  is  quite  nutritious,  if  we  would  only  get  accus 
tomed  to  it.  To  make  a  very  radical  and  sudden 
change  in  the  diet  of  soldiers,  may  result  very  injuri 
ously  to  them.  We  shall  be  fortunate  if  evil  effects. 
do  not  flow  from  the  change  of  food  which  we  have 
recently  been  subjected  to. 

Several  horses  and  men  were  discovered  floating  ins 
the  river  nearly  opposite  the  fort  to-day.  As  they  were 
first  noticed  about  a  half  mile  above  the  fort,  and 
nearest  this  side,  and  out  of  the  strong  current,  they 
were  sometime  in  passing,  and  a  good  many  people 
gathered  along  the  banks  to  see  them.  We  have  no 
boats  fit  for  service  in  the  river  in  its  present  condi 
tion,  and  I  heard  of  no  efforts  being  made  to  bring  the 
men  to  shore.  Their  clothing  showed  that  they  were 
not  Federal  soldiers,  for  at  one  or  two  points  they 
floated  near  enough  to  shore  to  see  whether  they  had 
on  blue  blouses  or  sky-blue  trousers.  A  good  many 
conjectures  were  advanced  as  to  whether  they  were  re 
cently  friends  or  foes,  and  how  they  came  to  get 


ON   THE   BORDEK— 1863.  315 

drowned.  The  mystery  of  their  deaths,  however,  will 
probably  be  cleared  up  in  a  few  days,  when  we  shall 
have  been  better  informed  of  the  operations  of  the  two- 
opposing  forces  on  the  river  north  of  us. 

The  train  and  escort  arrived  at  Fort  Gibson,  July 
5th,  just  before  twelve  o'clock,  although  we  heard, 
early  in  the  morning,  that  they  would  get  in  during 
the  day.  I  made  a  good  many  inquiries  concerning 
the  cause  of  delay  since  they  crossed  the  NeoshoRiver 
at  Hudson's  ford.  But  we  may  now  go  back  of  the  Neo- 
sho  River  to  Fort  Scott,  and  trace  the  progress  of  the 
train  to  Fort  Blunt  or  Gibson.  The  train  left  Fort 
Scott  with  the  following  troops  as  an  escort:  One 
company  of  the  Third  Wisconsin  cavalry,  company  C 
Ninth  Kansas  cavalry;  six  companies  of  the  Second 
Colorado  infantry;  one  section  of  Blair's  battery,  and 
one  twelve-pound  mountain  howitzer.  This  force  and 
the  train  reached  Baxter  Springs,  on  the  26th  of  June, 
where  they  were  joined  by  Major  Foreman  of  this 
division,  with  the  six  hundred  men  and  one  twelve- 
pound  howitzer,  which  I  have  already  mentioned  as 
having  left  here  on  the  20th  ultimo.  This  force  and 
train  moved  fifteen  miles  south  of  Baxter  to  Hud 
son's  Ford  on  Neosho  River,  where  they  were  detained 
two  days  on  account  of  high  waters.  While  they  were 
thus  detained,  Colonel  J.  M.  Williams,  commanding 
the  colored  regiment  at  Baxter  Springs,  received  infor 
mation  which  led  him  to  believe  that  the  escort  and 
train  would  certainly  be  attacked  on  the  way  down,, 
and  perhaps  within  a  day  or  two  after  they  crossed  the 


316  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

Neosho  River,  by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy.  He, 
therefore,  determined  to  march  his  colored  regiment 
to  Neosho  River,  and  offer  its  services  to  Lieut.  Colo 
nel  Theo.  R.  Dodd,  Second  Colorado  infantry,  com 
manding  the  escort.  Colonel  Dodd  accepted  this  re 
inforcement  to  his  escort  without  interposing  any  ob 
jection  on  account  of  color ;  and  the  whole  force  moved 
forward  as  soon  as  the  river  was  low  enough  to  ford.  I 
should  almost  be  justified  in  dwelling  a  moment  right 
here,  for  I  think  that  this  is  the  first  time  in  our  his 
tory  that  white  and  colored  troops  have  co-operated — 
that  is,  have  joined  hands  in  a  common  cause  against 
the  enemy.  It  is  a  grand  step  in  the  direction  of 
wiping  out  the  idea  that  man's  right  to  life,  liberty 
tmd  the  pursuit  of  happiness,  should  depend  upon  the 
color  of  his  skin  The  first  day's  march  south  of  the 
Neosho  River,  Major  Foreman,  with  a  force  of  cavalry, 
on  the  left  flank  discovered  a  •  fresh  trail,  and  on  fol 
lowing  it  some  distance,  came  upon,  and  captured  one 
and  killed  two  of  Standwaitie's  pickets.  The  man  the 
Major  held  was  badly  frightened,  and  was  easily  per 
suaded  and  even  anxious  to  tell  all  he  knew.  Such 
information  as  he  was  able  to  give,  however,  was  of  lit 
tle  value,  as  our  troops  marched  in  such  order  that  it 
would  almost  have  been  impossible  for  the  enemy  to 
surprise  them.  In  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday,  July 
1st,  our  train  and  escort  arrived  on  the  heights  on  the 
north  side  of  Cabin  Creek.  The  stream,  where  the 
old  military  road  crosses  it,  runs  nearly  directly  east, 
perhaps  inclining  a  little  to  the  southeast,  and  empties 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  31T 

into  the  Grand  River  not  more  than  three  miles  dis 
tant.  The  topography  of  that  section  is  perfectly  fa 
miliar  to  me,  as  we  were  encamped  there  one  year  ago, 
having  moved  there  shortly  after  the  capture  of  Colo 
nel  Clarkson,  referred  to  in  a  previous  chapter.  We 
were  in  that  immediate  vicinity  nearly  two  weeks.  It 
was  a  good  point  for  a  camp,  and  our  reconnoitering 
parties  were  daily  sent  out  through  the  Nation  to  the 
south  and  southeast  of  our  main  camp. 

But  to  return  to  the  recent  operations  at  Cabin- 
Creek.  A  little  skirmishing  occurred  a  few  miles  north 
of  the  heights,  near  the  crossing  of  the  military  road, 
but  the  resistance  of  the  enemy  was  not  sufficient  to 
cause  a  halt  of  our  troops  and  train.  It  is  all  prairie 
north  of  the  heights  for  several  miles,  but  descending 
the  heights  and  getting  into  the  bottom,  there  is  a 
heavy  growth  of  timber  and  thick  woods.  At  this 
season,  some  places  the  woods  are  so  thickly  clothed 
with  foliage,  that  foot  or  cavalrymen  could  not  be 
seen  twenty  yards  in  front.  As  the  advance  of  the 
escort  came  upon  the  heights  overlooking  the  strip  of 
timber  along  Cabin  Creek,  which  is  upwards  of  two 
miles  wide  at  the  military  crossing,  Colonel  Dodd, 
the  commanding  officer,  directed  that  a  skirmish  line 
be  thrown  out  at  once,  and  that  the  train  be  parked 
on  the  prairie  as  fast  as  the  teams  drove  up.  The 
train  having  been  corraled  without  the  slightest  ex 
citement  or  confusion,  there  was  detailed  to  guard  it 
the  Second  Colorado  infantry,  one  company  of  the 
First  Kansas  colored  infantry,  and  one  company  of  the 


'318  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

Sixth  Kansas  cavalry.     The  other  troops  and  artillery 
were  to  be  held  in  readiness  to  operate  against  the 
enemy.     The  skirmish  line  now  pushed  forward  to  the 
right  and  left  through  the  woods  towards  the  stream. 
It   had   not   proceeded  far  when  considerable   firing 
commenced  on  both  sides,  but  not  at  very  short  range. 
Our  cavalry  moved    steadily  forward,  determined  to 
develop  the  strength  of  the  enemy  on  the  north  side 
of  the  stream  if  possible.     As  he  did  not  have  more 
than  four  or  five  hundred  men  on  the  north  side,  they 
could  not  stand  much  pressing,  and  soon  broke.    Some 
fled  up  the  stream  under  cover  of  the  timber,  and  some 
down  it,  and  some  made  their  horses  attempt  to  swim 
it  at  the  nearest  accessible  point,  but  are  supposed,  in 
plunging  over  the  steep  bank,  to  have  been  drowned, 
and  washed  down  the  stream.     Our  cavalry  did  not 
pursue  them   vigorously,  but  moved   cautiously,  as  it 
was  not  known  but  that  the  enemy  had  a  massed  force 
on  the  north  side,  which  would  rise  up  at  the  proper 
moment  and  endeavor  to  throw  our  troops  into  confu 
sion.     But   there  was   no  massed   force  on  the  north 
side,  and  our  cavalry  soon  reached   the  north  bank  of 
Cabin  Creek,  to  discover  the  stream  raging  and  foam 
ing  along  furiously,  and  evidently  too  deep  to  be  ford- 
able  in  the  shallowest  place.     The  rains  which  caused 
the  rise  in  JSTeosho  river,   also  caused   the  high  waters 
in  Cabin  Creek;  besides  a  more  recent  heavy  rain  fall 
ing  on  the  head  waters  of  Cabin    Creek,   kept  it   up 
longer.     When  our  cavalry  arrived  on  the  north  bank 
they  found  that  the  enemy  lined  the  woods  on  the  op- 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  319 

posite  shore  for  nearly  a  mile  up  and  down  the  stream. 
They  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon  our  troops  at  every  point 
when  they  approached  the  water's  edge,  particularly 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  ford.  This  soon  brought 
down  a  portion  of  the  colored  infantry  under  Colonel 
Williams.  After  his  arrival,  and  the  formation  of  his 
line  along  the  north  bank,  there  was  some  sharp  mus- 
ketry  firing  over  the  stream  for  some  time,  from  both 
forces.  At  convenient  distances  apart,  signal  stations 
were  established  by  Colonels  Dodd  and  Williams,  to 
watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  to  warn  the 
-different  bodies  of  our  troops  when  they  might  be  in 
danger  of  being  overwhelmed  by  a  superior  force  of 
the  enemy.  Several  signal  stations  were  high  up  in 
the  boughs  of  trees,  where  the  men  remained  for  hours. 
Colonels  Williams  and  Dodd  being  convinced  that 
there  was  not  a  sufficient  force  of  the  enemy  on  the 
north  side  of  the  stream  to  make  them  any  serious  re 
sistance,  determined  to  take  its  soundings  with  the 
view  of  forcing  a  crossing  that  evening.  Major  Fore 
man,  with  a  force  of  cavalry,  was  to  try  the  ford  and 
the  colored  infantry  was  to  form  in  line  on  the  banks 
above  and  below  the  entrance  to  the  stream,  supported 
by  two  howitzers.  A  few  shells  were  thrown  into  the 
woods  on  the  opposite  shore,  to  drive  the  enemy  from 
his  concealed  position,  and  the  colored  infantry  stood 
in  line  ready  to  deliver  a  volley  into  the  ranks  of  the 
enemy,  should  they  come  within  range,  and  the  cav 
alry  started  into  the  foaming,  eddying  stream.  The 
enemy  immediately  opened  fire  at  rather  long  range, 


320  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

and  the  cavalry  having  entered  the  stream  only  a  few 
yards,  and  finding  it  not  fordable,  returned.  A  con 
sultation  was  then  held  between  Colonels  Dodd  and 
Williams,  and  Major  Foreman,  and  it  was  decided  that 
further  operations  should  cease  until  the  next  morn 
ing,  when  the  stream  would  likely  be  fordable,  as  it 
was  already  beginning  to  run  down.  Night  was  com 
ing  on,  and  orders  were  given  to  set  the  guards  at  all 
necessary  points,  and  to  refresh  the  troops  with  food 
and  sleep.  After  the  disposition  of  the  troops  had 
been  made  for  the  night,  and  all  had  satisfied  the  de 
mands  of  appetite,  another  consultation  of  officers  was 
held,  at  which  were  representatives  from  all  the  differ 
ent  detachments  composing  the  escort.  At  this  con 
ference  the  plan  of  operations  in  regard  to  forcing  a 
crossing  of  the  stream  in  the  morning,  was  discussed 
and  agreed  to.  It  was  decided  that  the  signal  stations 
should  be  establishod  next  morning,  very  nearly  as 
they  had  been  during  the  evening,  as  already  described. 
It  was  arranged  that  the  positions  of  the  troops  should 
be  about  as  follows:  The  section  of  Blair's  battery  and 
the  twelve  pound  mountain  howitzers,  were  to  take 
positions  on  eminences  above  and  below  the  ford,  two 
hundred  yards  or  so  apart,  so  that  their  fire  would 
converge  to  a  point  wherever  desired  on  the  opposite 
shore.  Our  officers  saw  that  the  enemy  could  not  cross 
the  apex  of  this  inverted  ^  without  a  dreadful  loss  of 
life,  while  our  four  pieces  were  discharging  grape  and 
canister  in  a  continuous  stream.  Our  troops  were  to 
enter  the  base  of  the  inverted  ^  in  the  following  or- 


ON  THE  BORDER.— 1863.  321 

der:  Major  Foreman  with  the  Indian  cavalry,  and  some 
detachments  from  the  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas 
cavalry,  were  to  take  the  advance.  This  force  was  to 
be  followed  by  Captain  Stewart,  with  one  company  of 
the  Ninth  Kansas  cavalry,  one  company  of  the  Third 
Wisconsin  cavalry,  and  the  First  Kansas  colored  in 
fantry,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Colonel 
Williams.  The  cavalry  was  to  form  in  line  as  fast  as 
they  crossed  over,  to  be  supported  by  the  colored  in 
fantry  as  fast  as  they  could  get  over.  With  these 
plans  for  che  morrow  the  officers  separated,  each  going 
to  his  proper  station  to  partake  of  refreshing  sleep. 
Each  left  the  council  of  war  in  good  spirits,  fully  de 
termined  to  do  his  duty,  as  soon  as  the  present  veil  of 
darkness  should  be  removed,  and  Aurora  should  declare 
that  a  new  day  had  dawned.  The  Goddess  of  Liberty, 
with  contracted  brow  and  storm-clad  aegis,  watched 
over  them.  The  videttes  had  no  occasion  to  report  to 
the  officer  of  the  guard  any  hostile  movements  of  the 
enemy,  to  disturb  the  slumbering  troops.  'Not  a  sol 
itary  shot  from  the  various  picket  and  vidette  stations, 
fell  upon  the  stillness  of  the  night.  'No  doubt  but 
that  stern  expressions,  as  if  grappling  in  bloody  con 
flict  with  the  foe,  played  over  the  countenances 
of  many  of  the  sleeping  heroes  during  the  night. 
It  was  known  that  the  enemy  had  nearly  two 
thousand  men,  .a  force  superior  to  ours,  besides 
they  were  not  hampered  in  their  movements  by 
having  to  guard  a  large  train.  It  was  known  too, 
that  he  had  chosen  his  own  position,  and  that 
21 


322  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

we   could  not   expect   to  pass  the  stream  without  a 
hard  fight. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  2nd  our  troops 
were  up  making  preparations  for  the  struggle  soon  to 
commence.  An  officer  who  had  made  the  rounds  of 
the  guards  reported  that  the  stream  was  probably  ford- 
able  on  the  morning  of  the  2nd.  He  also  reported  that 
the  enemy  seemed  to  be  displaying  considerable  activ 
ity,  as  if  preparing  for  the  coming  storm.  "When  our 
men  and  animals  had  satisfied  the  demands  of  hunger, 
the  wagon  masters  were  directed  to  have  their  mule 
teams  harnessed  and  hitched  to  the  wagons,  in  readi 
ness  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice;  ammunition  was 
given  to  the  soldiers  to  replenish  their  cartridge  boxes, 
and  their  arms  inspected  to  see  that  they  should  be  in 
complete  order.  And  everything  was  in  readiness, 
and  our  toops  moved  out  about  eight  o'clock  in  splen 
did  order,  as  if  going  on  parade  or  out  to  drill.  Major 
Foreman  marched  at  the  head  of  the  column  of  cav 
alry,  and  was  followed  by  Colonel  Williams  at  the  head 
of  his  colored  infantry  regiment,  which  marched  with 
a  firm  steady  step,  with  their  bright  muskets  glitter 
ing  in  the  morning  sunlight  at  a  right  shoulder  shift. 
The  section  of  Blair's  battery  and  the  howitzers  march 
ed  in  the  rear;  but  when  the  head  of  the  column  had 
reached  a  point  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  ford, 
it  halted  a  moment,  and  the  field  pieces  and  howitzers 
were  ordered  to  take  their  positions  on  the  elevations 
which  had  been  selected  for  them.  While  these  move 
ments  were  being  made  the  skirmish  line  advanced  to 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  323 

the  bank  of  the  stream,  and  the  skirmishers  were  ex 
changing  shots  here  and  there  with  the  enemy  quite 
lively.  The  stream  running  across  the  inverted  ^ 
nearer  its  base  than  its  apex,  the  area  of  the  apex  on  the 
opposite  shore,  it  was  estimated,  would  be  sufficiently 
large  for  our  troops  to  form  in  echelon  as  soon  as  they 
crossed  over.  The  bugler  beside  Major  Foreman 
sounded  forward,  and  in  a  moment  more  the  head  of 
the  column  entered  the  base  of  the  inverted  ^  and  the 
storm  burst  forth  furiously.  The  artillery  opened  with 
shell  and  shrapnel,  and  swept  the  woods  on  each  side  of 
the  apex  of  the  inverted  ^,  but  did  not  entirely  suc 
ceed  in  driving  the  enemy  from  their  positions  behind 
logs  and  felled  trees.  Our  cavalary,  under  Major  Fore 
man,  continued  to  move  forward,  and  just  as  they  were 
about  to  enter  the  ford,  a  large  force  of  the  enemy  ad 
vanced  from  under  cover  of  the  thick  woods  to  within 
a  few  yards  of  the  opposite  bank,  and  delivered  a  vol 
ley  into  the  ranks  of  our  advancing  column,  wounding 
several  men.  The  field  pieces  and  howitzers  immedi 
ately  after  this  poured  a  stream  of  grape  and  canister 
into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy,  and  they  quickly  disap 
peared  behind  their  temporary  defences.  Major  Fore 
man  continued  to  move  steadily  forward  until  he 
reached  about  the  middle  of  the  stream,  which  was 
well  up  the  flanks  of  the  horses,  when  the  enemy  dis 
charged  another  volley  of  musketry  into  the  ranks  of 
our  advancing  troops,  wounding  Major  Foreman  and 
several  men  seriously,  so  seriously  that  they  were  ob 
liged  to  be  taken  to  the  rear.  This  casualty  caused  a 


324:  MEMOIRS  OP  THE   REBELLION 

momentary  halt  in  the  stream,  but  not  a  retreat.  The 
enemy  were  not  allowed  to  gain  any  advantage  by  it, 
for  a  steady  stream  of  grape  and  canister  was  poured 
into  them  by  our  batteries,  and  the  colored  infantry, 
which  had  not  yet  entered  the  stream,  were  formed 
along  the  bank,  and  also  discharged  volley  after  vol 
ley  into  their  ranks,  whenever  they  attempted  to  move 
towards  the  opposite  ford.  A  few  moments  after  Ma 
jor  Foreman  was  wounded  and  taken  to  the  rear, 
Captain  Stewart  of  the  Ninth  Kansas  cavalry  marched 
to  the  front  with  his  company,  with  drawn  sabers,  and 
when  his  horses  had  passed  the  deepest  water,  dashed 
forward  and  reached  the  south  bank.  The  Indian  cav 
alry,  detachments  of  the  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kan 
sas  cavalry,  and  the  colored  regiment  followed  in  close 
order,  and  quickly  reached  the  south  bank,  and  formed 
in  line,  in  echelon.  The  battery  stationed  at  the  left 
base  of  the  inverted  j^  was  directed  now  to  play  upon 
the  enemy,  directly  in  front  and  to  the  left,  and  the 
battery  stationed  at  the  right  base  was  directed  to  play 
upon  the  enemy  directly  in  front,  and  to  the  right,  in 
stead  of  the  two  lines  of  fire  converging  to  a  point 
some  distance  south  of  the  south  ford.  The  troops 
formed  in  line,  the  bugle  sounded  forward,  and  Cap 
tain  Stewart  led  the  cavalry,  and  Colonel  Williams  the 
colored  infantry,  with  fixed  bayonets.  No  angry 
stream  now  separated  the  contending  forces,  and  when 
the  enemy  saw  our  troops  approaching  them  in  double 
quick  time  with  glittering  bayonets  and  flashing  sabres, 
they  made  a  few  feeble  efforts  to  stand,  but  soon  broke 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  325 

and  could  not  be  rallied.  Immediately  after  onr  troops 
reached  the  south  bank  of  the  stream  and  formed  in 
line,  they  commenced  a  brisk  fire  upon  the  enemy  at 
short  range,  and  drove  them  from  their  improvised 
defences  in  less  than  ten  minutes.  But  they  retreated 
only  about  three  hundred  yards,  and  commenced  to 
form  again.  Our  troops  followed  them  steadily  with 
lines  formed  as  perfectly  as  on  drill,  and  poured  vol 
ley  after  volley  into  their  ranks,  as  rapidly  as  the  men 
could  load  and  fire,  and  move  forward.  When  the  en 
emy  attempted  to  form  his  last  line,  our  troops  were 
perhaps  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from 
him.  Then  it  was  that  the  bugles  sounded  the  charge, 
and  our  troops  rushed  forward  impetuously,  and  swept 
the  field  like  a  storm. 

When  the  colored  soldiers  discharged  their  last  voL 
ley,  and  then  started  forward  on  the  double  quick,  the 
long  line  of  bristling  bayonets  they  displayed  were 
not  allowed  to  approach  nearer  than  fifty  yards  of  the 
enemy,  when  he  turned  and  fled  in  great  disorder. 
Captain  Stewart,  who  had  led  the  cavalry  in  the  charge 
at  another  point,  dashed  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy, 
and  many  felt  the  eager  points  or  edges  of  the  swords 
of  his  men.  The  route  of  the  enemy  was  complete. 
Captain  Stewart,  with  all  the  cavalry  pursued  them  for 
five  miles  south,  cutting  and  shooting  them  down  in 
great  numbers.  It  is  the  almost  universal  opinion  of 
officers  and  soldiers,  that  had  not  our  troops  been 
hampered  with  the  care  of  the  large  train,  they  could 
have  captured  or  destroyed  the  entire  force  of  the 


326  MEMOIKS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

enemy;  and  Captain  Stewart  thinks  that  had  it  not  been 
inadvisable  to  leave  the  train  too  far,  he  could  with  the 
cavalry  which  he  had,  have  captured  most  of  the  enemy 
in  the  course  of  a  few  hours.  But  our  officers  learned  on 
the  same  evening  that  the  train  and  escort  arrived  on 
the  heights  of  Cabin  Creek,  that  General  Cabell,  with 
fifteen  hundred  cavalry  and  four  pieces  of  artillery,  had 
arrived  at  Grand  Saline,  three  miles  east  of  Cabin 
Creek,  on  the  east  bank  of  Grand  River,  the  day  be 
fore,  and  was  unable  to  cross  and  join  General  Coop 
er's  divisions  on  account  of  high  water.  It  is  likely 
that  General  Cabell  was  to  have  had  command  of  the 
entire  rebel  force,  as  there  was  no  General  officer  with 
the  rebel  force  that  our  troops  fought.  Colonels  Stand- 
waitie  and  Mclntosh's  Indian  regiments,  and  the 
27th  and  29th  Texas  mounted  regiments,  were  the 
rebel  troops  with  whom  we  had  to  contend.  We  heard 
that  General  Cooper's  assistant  adjutant  general,  did 
moie  than  any  other  officers  to  hold  the  rebel  forces 
together.  Standwaitie,  with  three  men,  is  reported  to 
have  left  the  field  very  soon  after  our  troops  crossed 
Cabin  Creek,  and  to  have  swam  Grand  River,  some 
seven  or  eight  miles  to  the  southeast.  Several  other 
detachments  attempted  to  swim  the  river  at  other 
points.  If  the  enemy  could  have  detained  our  troops 
and  train  at  Cabin  Creek  another  day,  General  Cabell 
would  probably  have  been  able  to  cross  Grand 
River  with  his  force,  and  to  have  joined  in  the 
engagement. 

After  the  rout  of  the  enemy,  it  is  not  believed  that 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  327 

they  made  a  halt  north  of  the  Arkansas  river,  so  much 
were  they  demoralized. 

We  may  now  glance  a  moment  over  the  field  at  the 
casualties.  I  have  already  mentioned  the  wounding 
of  Major  Foreman;  and  of  the  cavalry  under  him, 
there  were  four  enlisted  men  killed,  ten  wounded  and 
eight  missing.  Captain  Stewart's  company  "C, " 
Ninth  Kansas  cavalry,  had  one  man  killed,  three 
wounded  slightly,  and  one  seriously.  Colonel  Wil 
liams'  colored  regiment  had  one  officer  and  twelve  en 
listed  men  wounded.  Three  of  tiie  colored  soldiers 
were  mortally  wounded  and  died  on  the  field.  It  is 
supposed  that  the  loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed  and 
wounded  must  be  upwards  of  a  hundred,  as  they  were 
exposed  to  grape  and  canister  and  shrapnel  for  some 
time  before  they  could  open  fire  upon  our  troops  with 
any  effect;  and  also  while  our  forces  were  crossing  the 
stream,  and  forming  in  the  apex  on  the  south  bank. 
They  must  also  have  suffered  severely  from  the  galling 
fire  of  the  colored  soldiers,  after  they  passed  the  stream, 
formed,  and  moved  forward  in  line.  In  crossing  the 
stream,  the  colored  infantry  were  obliged  to  unfasten 
their  belts,  so  as  to  hold  their  cartridge  boxes  above 
the  water,  which  came  up  to  their  armpits.  The  whole 
plan  of  dislodging  the  enemy,  and  driving  him  from 
his  strong  position,  was  skillfully  conceived  and  mag 
nificently  and  boldly  executed.  A  military  genius 
would  not  have  conceived  a  better  and  more  success 
ful  plan.  To  whom  we  are  mostly  indebted  for  the 
success  of  our  arms,  it  would  be  difficult  to  say,  where 


328  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

every  one  performed  his  duty  so  nobly.  The  enemy 
against  whom  we  have  been  operating  this  spring  and 
summer,  are  now  doubtless  satisfied  that  "niggers" 
can  fight,  and  fight  bravely  under  "yankee"  officers. 
The  Texas  soldiers,  if  they  had  felt  inclined  to  wait  a 
few  moments  when  Colonel  "Williams  was  leading  the 
charge  of  his  colored  regiment,  might  have  had  an  op 
portunity  of  seeing  the  fire  in  the  eyes  of  the  colored 
soldiers.  But  men  who  once  delighted  to  ply  the  lash  to 
the  backs  of  colored  men  were  now  extremely  anxious 
to  get  out  of  sight  of  these  same  colored  men  as  quickly 
as  possible.  A  beautiful  thought  to  my  mind  comes 
up  in  connection  with  this  first  regular  engagement, 
participated  in  by  the  colored  troops.  They  in  effect 
say,  "  we  are  willing  to  meet  on  the  field,  man  for  man, 
in  defence  of  our  freedom  and  our  rights." 

Our  killed  having  been  buried,  and  the  wounded 
taken  up  and  provided  for  as  well  as  possible,  the 
train,  guard  and  artillery  moved  out  and  crossed  Cabin 
Creek  after  twelve  o'clock.  The  escort  continued  to 
move  with  great  caution,  as  it  was  not  known  but  that 
the  enemy  might  receive  reinforcements  and  attempt 
to  make  another  stand,  as  there  are  two  rather  strong 
positions  between  Cabin  Creek  and  Fort  Gibson.  Bat 
our  cavalry  on  the  flanks  noticed  that  the  trails  of  the 
enemy  through  the  high  prairie  grass  did  not  point  to 
either  of  the  positions  from  which  an  attack  would 
most  likely  be  made  if  intended.  It  was  ascertained 
that  the  enemy,  after  the  engagement,  broke  up  into 
detachments;  and  that  a  good  many  attempted  to 


ON  THE  BORDEK-1863.  329 

swim  Grand  River  with  their  horses  for  fear  of  being 
cut  off  by  our  troops  if  they  endeavored  to  reach  the 
Arkansas.  The  men  and  horses  seen  floating  in  the 
river  opposite  the  fort  yesterday  are  supposed  to  have 
belonged  to  the  enemy,  and  were  doubtless  drowned  in 
attempting  to  cross  Grand  River  on  the  last  day  of  the 
engagement  at  Cabin  Creek. 


CHAPTEK  XYII. 

The  Federal  supply  train  returns  to  Fort  Scott— The  Battalion  of 
the  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry  and  the  author  accompany  it — Colo 
nel  Phillips  commended  for  his  successful  military  operations 
— Federal  troops  with  which  author  has  acted  for  two  years 
have  been  uniformly  successful — The  colored  soldiers  anxious 
to  meet  the  enemy — Their  physical  endurance — Well  adapted 
to  campaigning  in  warm  climate— Colonel  Phillips  will  be 
able  to  cross  the  Arkansas  river  and  attack  General  Cooper — 
Large  quantities  of  hay  should  be  put  up  at  Fort  Gibson — 
Salt  works  at  Grand  Saline — Families  of  English  blood  cling 
to  their  homesteads — On  the  march  up  the  beautiful  Grand 
River  country — Looking  out  for  General  Cabell's  force — The 
escort  meets  General  Blunt  at  Cabin  Creek — Examination  of 
the  battle-field — Active  operations  to  be  commenced  against 
General  Cooper  immediately— The  train  and  escort  pass  the 
section  of  Livingston's  operations— Arrival  at  Fort  Scott. 

THE  supply  train  started  back  to  Fort  Scott  July 
7th,  and  as  the  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry, 
which  has  been  with  Colonel  Phillips'  division  of  this 
command  since  the  first  of  last  January,  was  ordered 
to  accompany  the  train  as  a  part  of  its  escort,  my 
chronicles  of  the  operations  of  the  Federal  troops  in 
the  Indian  Territory  will  not  hereafter  be  so  full  as 
usual.  As  my  duties  may  take  me  to  some  other  field, 
or  so  far  away  that  I  will  not  be  conscious  of  all  that 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  331 

is  going  on  here,  a  little  review  of  the  past  six  months 
may  be  of  some  interest.     In  looking  back  over  this 
period,  the  first  thought  that  comes  into  my  mind  is, 
that  Colonel  Phillips  has  shown  remarkable  executive 
ability  in  the  management  of  the  troops  of  his  division. 
And  we  feel  quite  sure  that  no  graduate  of  West  Point 
could  have  been   found   who    would  have   displayed 
greater  military  sagacity  than  our  commander,  Col 
onel  Phillips,  in  the  handling  of   troops,  in   seizing 
advantageous  positions,  and  in  meeting  all  the  contin 
gencies  liable  to  arise  in  administering  the  affairs  of  a 
large  district  like  his.    From  the  time  that  this  division 
left  the  Army  of  the  Frontier  at  Elm  Springs,  he  has 
gained  in  popularity  with  his  troops  and  the  people 
within  his  military  jurisdiction.     With  every  possible 
shade  of  humanity  flocking  to  his  camp,  he  maintain 
ed  a  tone  of  moral  order  that  would  be  creditable  to 
the   best   organized   army  unencumbered   with    such 
difficulties.     His  lines  of  march  have  nowhere  been 
marked  by  the  smoking  ruins  of  destroyed  towns.      I 
do  not  believe  that  half  a  dozen  houses  have   been 
burned  during  the  last  six  months  by  his   troops  in 
southwest  Missouri,  northwest  Arkansas,  and   in  the 
Indian  nation.  When  his  troops  left  northwest  Arkan 
sas  the  latter  part  of  winter,  I  will  venture  the  belief 
that  many  rebel  families   even    regretted    it,  for   he 
respected  their  persons,  arid  such  property  as  they 
possessed,  as  was  not  needed  for  army  use.      I  have 
already  stated  that   they   exchanged   their   chickens, 
eggs,  milk,  butter,  &c.,  with  our  soldiers  for  certain  of 


332  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

their  surplus  rations.     By  great  care  and  diligence  he 
prevented  the  small-pox  from  spreading  among  our 
troops  early  last  March.      He  has  kindled  among  the 
Indians  such  a  strong  feeling  of  friendship  for  the 
Government,  that  their  women  ride  sixty  miles  to  in 
form  him  of  the  movements  of    rebel   troops.      And 
this  spring  and  summer  he  has  displayed  conspicuous 
bravery  at  Webber's  Falls,  the  Eapid  Ford,  and  in  the 
engagement  with  the  enemy  On  the  morning  of  the  25th 
May,  when  they  attacked  our  train  four  miles  northwest 
of  Fort  Gibson.  His  marching  here  and  seizing  this  post 
in  the  face  of  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  was  a  master 
movement  which  the  military  critic  would  be  especial 
ly  happy  to  dwell  upon,  had  he  been   commanding 
troops  in  a  section  where  military  operations  are  con 
ducted  on  a  larger  scale.      And  his  holding  this  place 
against  the  forces  of  two  Generals  of  the  enemy,  dur 
ing  the  most  trying  season  of  the  year,  would  afford 
thought  for  further  words  of  commendation.      If  the 
Government  intends  that  promotions  shall  be  earned 
by  meritorious  services,  his  promotion  should  not  now 
be  long  delayed.     I  doubt  whether  another  officer  of 
his  rank  can  be  found  in  the  service  who  has  been 
entrusted  with  a  command  of  equal  importance,  and 
who  has  accomplished  so  much.      When  we  hear  that 
the  Generals  around  Washington,  without  commands, 
are  almost  numerous  enough  to  make  a  battalion,  we 
feel  the  injustice  of  the  Government,  in  neglecting  to 
properly  reward  him  for  his  meritorious  services,  more 
keenly  than  we  might  otherwise  do. 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  333 

It  is  a  rather  pleasant  reflection  that  the  troops 
with  which  I  have  acted  for  two  years,  less  one  month, 
have  never  met  with  a  single  reverse,  though  we  have 
repeatedly  marched  up  and  down  the  border  from  the 
Missouri  River  to  the  Arkansas  River,  and  had  nu 
merous  contests  with  the  enemy.  When  we  came  into 
this  country  early  in  the  spring,  we  did  not  feel  sure 
that  Colonel  Phillips  would  be  able  to  hold  it  with  the 
force  which  he  then  had  under  him.  And  when  Colonel 
Harrison,  without  sufficient  cause,  withdrew  his  troops 
from  Fayetteville,  and  retreated  to  Cassville,  Missouri, 
we  felt  sure  that  the  pressure  of  the  enemy  would  be 
still  greater  to  force  us  from  this  position.  We  have 
not  only  held  our  position,  but  we  have  defeated  the- 
enemy  in  every  engagement;  even  where  he  had  the 
choosing  of  time  and  position  in  several  instances. 
In  fact,  the  military  operations  in  this  Territory  under 
Colonel  Phillips,  since  we  came  here  in  the  spring,, 
have  been  as  brilliant  and  successful  as  our  campaign 
under  General  Blunt,  in  northwestern  Arkansas,  last 
fall. 

Assistant  Adjutant  General  Gallaher,  an  officer  who> 
has  honored  me  with  his  friendship,  has  kindly  an 
swered  questions  that  I  have  sometimes  put  to  him,, 
in  regard  to  points  upon  which  I  was  not  fully  advis 
ed.  I  have  not,  however,  drawn  on  him  very  often 
for  information. 

It  is  likely  now  that  active  operations  will  be  com 
menced  against  the  enemy  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Arkansas  shortly.  We  have  a  sufficient  number  of 


334:  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

troops,  and  artillery  enough  to  march  out  and  attack 
them  in  their  camp  ;  and  unless  they  stand  firmer 
than  they  have  done  in  all  the  recent  contests  in  this 
section,  we  shall  rout  them  completely.  I  have  talk 
ed  with  some  of  the  colored  soldiers,  and  they  seem 
anxious  to  meet  the  enemy  on  an  open  field.  They 
said  that  the  other  day,  at  Cabin  Creek,  they  expect 
ed  to  have  an  opportunity  of  letting  their  bayonets 
drink  a  little  rebel  blood,  but  that  the  enemy  were 
not  inclined  to  grant  them  this  privilege.  These  col 
ored  soldiers  say  that  they  have  heard  that  the  enemy 
are  furious  for  the  blood  of  those  negroes  who  have 
gone  into  the  "  Yankee  "  service,  and  that  they  have 
come  down  here  to  give  the  rebels  an  opportunity  of 
satiating  themselves  with  their  blood.  But  they  are 
convinced  that  there  will  be  as  much  rebel  as  negro 
blood  spilt,  when  the  time  comes  for  the  enemy  to 
slake  his  thirst  for  blood.  With  their  slave  clothes 
they  have  thrown  off  the  slave  caste  of  express!  n. 
They  are  armed  with  one  of  the  most  recently  im 
proved  patterns  of  musket,  and  they  have  been  drill 
ed  until  they  can  handle  them,  in  going  through  the 
manual,  as  gracefully  and  with  as  much  ease  as  almost 
any  of  our  white  troops.  Had  there  not  been  a  pre 
judice  against  them  going  into  the  field  with  the 
white  troops,  they  would  probably  have  been  to  the 
front  long  ere  this.  Though  they  had  not  acted  with 
the  white  troops  until  they  left  Baxter  Springs  ten 
days  ago,  they  have,  nevertheless,  seen  considerable 
service  at  different  stations  along  the  border.  Most  of 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  335 

them  were  brougnt  up  in  Missouri  and  are  quite  in 
telligent — far  more  intelligent  than  plantation  hands. 
They  are  strong  built,  and  in  size  are  fully  up  to  the 
average  of  our  white  soldiers,  and  in  regard  to  endur 
ance,  particularly  in  a  warm  climate,  I  doubt  whether 
our  white  soldiers,  or  even  those  of  the  enemy,  can 
compete  with  them.  Indeed  it  is  their  capacity  for 
endurance  that  has  contributed  in  keeping  them  in 
slavery  so  long.  Perhaps  their  masters  never  once 
thought  that  this  capacity  for  endurance  would  be 
turned  to  advantage  in  gaining  their  freedom,  as  it  is 
likely  to  be  from  now  on  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
There  are  sections  of  the  south  where  the  climate  will 
be  very  unfavorable  for  our  northern  troops  during  a 
summer  campaign.  But  colored  troops  who  are  accli 
mated,  can  occupy  such  regions  without  detriment  to 
their  health,  and  without  increasing  the  percentage  of 
mortality  by  sickness.  All  this  the  rebel  leaders 
failed  to  take  into  account  when  they  made  war  on  the 
Government  and  attempted  te  secede. 

In  view  of  the  prospective  active  operations  soon 
to  be  commenced,  it  would  be  more  agreeable  to  my 
feelings  to  remain  with  this  command  a  while  longer. 
As  Colonel  Phillips  has  shown  his  ability  to  hold  all 
the  country  north  of  the  Arkansas,  except  as  to  caval 
ry  raids  of  the  enemy,  with  his  three  Indian  regi 
ments,  and  one  battery,  and  one  battalion  of  white 
troops,  we  do  not  doubt  but  that,  with  the  additional 
troops  now  here,  he  will  be  able  to  carry  our  arms  be 
yond  the  Canadian  River,  and  sweep  around  and  cap- 


336  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  KEBELLION 

tnre  Fort  Smith.  This  would  be  the  natural  plan  of 
operations,  whether  it  is  carried  out  or  not.  Whoever 
may  command  our  troops  in  this  section  will  hardly 
be  satisfied  to  remain  inactive  north  of  the  Arkansas 
during  the  balance  of  the  summer  and  autumn.  Un 
less  some  disposition  has  been  made  of  the  troops  in 
southwest  Missouri,  of  which  we  have  not  heard,  a 
force  almost  equal  to  ours  here,  we  believe  might 
easily  be  concentrated  at  Cassville  in  a  short  time, 
and  marched  down  the  western  border  counties  of 
Arkansas  to  Yan  Buren,  and  form  a  junction  with  the 
forces  under  Colonel  Phillips  at  Fort  Smith. 

The  principal  object  of  the  battalion  of  the  Sixth 
Kansas  cavalry  accompanying  the  train  through  to 
Fort  Scott,  is  to  have  the  dismounted  men  furnished 
with  remounts  at  as  early  a  day  as  practicable.  A 
good  many  men  of  the  four  companies  of  this  battalion 
lost  their  horses  on  the  20th  of  May,  when  the  enemy 
made  a  raid  on  our  herds  near  this  post.  Others  have 
lost  their  horses  for  want  of  forage,  and  by  being  worn 
out  in  the  service  by  constant  scouting  and  marching. 
Detachments  from  this  battalion  have  accompanied 
nearly  all  the  reconnoissances  sent  out  since  we  have 
been  with  this  division.  "We  have  not  been  able  to 
act  in  a  body,  for  the  reason  that  we  have  been  called 
upon  to  furnish  detachments  for  reconnoissances  go 
ing  in  this  direction  and  in  that,  and  for  guards  at 
the  fords  along  the  Arkansas.  There  are  no  horses 
in  this  country  suitable  for  cavalry  service;  and  we 
are  really  deficient  in  that  arm  of  the  service.  The 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  337 

commanding  officer  here  will  probably  have  large 
quantities  of  good  prairie  hay  put  up  this  fall  at  this 
post,  so  that  there  will  be  no  necessity  for  our  animals 
running  down  so  much  in  flesh  another  season,  even 
if  the  service  shall  be  as  arduous  as  it  has  been  this 
season.  When  the  enemy  shall  have  been  driven 
south  towards  Red  River,  as  they  doubtless  will  be 
before  autumn,  unless  part  of  our  force  is  ordered  to 
some  other  iield,  if  the  government  Avould  send  down 
here,  from  Fort  Scott,  half  a  dozen  mowing  machines 
and  hands  to  work  them,  all  the  hay  required  for  ani 
mals  at  this  post  could  be  put  up  in  a  month  or  so. 
There  should  be  no  unnecessary  delay  in  attending  to 
the  matter,  as  the  season  is  near  at  hand  for  putting 
up  hay.  Excellent  prairie  grass  can  be  found  within 
ten  miles  of  this  post  on  the  west  side  of  Grand 
River.  With  most  of  our  troops  south  of  the  Arkan 
sas,  a  very  strong  guard  would  not  be  required  to  pro 
tect  the  workmen;  and  government  trains  could  be 
used  to  haul  the  hay  in,  to  be  put  up  in  large  ricks. 
The  corn  and  oat  rations,  however,  will  have  to  be 
transported  here  from  the  north.  The  Indians  raised 
some  wheat  this  season,  but  have  in  cultivation  but 
very  little  corn;  not  more  than  enough  for  their  own 
consumption.  The  season  has  been  favorable  for  corn 
crops,  and  the  yield  would  have  been  heavy  had  a 
large  acreage  been  planted  and  given  proper  attention. 
Though  the  Indians  have  a  fine  country,  and  were 
considered  to  be  in  good  circumstances  before  the  war, 
this  wealth  consisted  mostlv  of  stock,  lands  and 
22 


338  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

money.  They  have  never  raised  a  surplus  of  cereals, 
and  some  seasons  not  sufficient  for  their  own  use; 
for  traders  among  them  in  ante-bellum  times  brought 
large  quantities  of  salt,  as  well  as  cattle,  ponies  and 
peltries,  into  Missouri  to  exchange  for  corn,  flour,  etc. 
Their  teams,  also,  frequently  came  without  being  load 
ed  with  commodities  for  exchange,  but  brought  gold 
to  make  their  purchases.  Whilst  occupying  this  rich 
country  our  troops  will  be  able  to  get  but  little  out  of 
it  to  contribute  to  their  support,  with  the  exception 
of  hay  and  fresh  beef.  The  salt  works,  however, 
might  be  re-opened  at  Grand  Saline,  but  the  expense 
of  working  and  protecting  the  workmen  operating 
them  would,  perhaps,  be  more  than  the  cost  of  trans 
portation  on  salt  from  the  east.  Now  in  the  States 
the  white  families,  consisting  of  the  old  men,  women 
and  children,  both  union  and  rebel,  have  generally 
stuck  to  their  homesteads,  when  they  have  not  been 
burned,  and  endeavored  to  raise  the  same  kinds  of 
products  that  were  raised  on  their  farms  in  former 
times",  but,  of  course,  in  smaller  quantities  and  num 
bers.  From  what  I  have  seen,  I  believe  that  the  no 
madic  and  pastoral  tendencies  are  almost  entirely  ex 
tinguished  in  the  English  race.  Wherever  I  have 
seen  a  family  whose  faces  showed  their  English  blood, 
I  have  seen  this  strong  attachment  for  the  homestead. 
If  the  calamities  of  war  have  destroyed  their  dwell 
ings,  they  have,  in  many  instances,  moved  into  the 
smoke-house,  or  barn  with  such  effects  as  they  were 
able  to  preserve.  To  those  brought  up  with  the  usual 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  339 

notions  of  country  life,  there  are  many  hallowed  asso 
ciations  that  generally  cling  around  the  homestead. 
Fathers  and  mothers,  for  instance,  recall  the  earlier  per 
iods  of  their  lives,  when  they  struggled  against  adver 
sity,  and  when  their  children,  some  of  whom  may  be 
away  in  the  army,  played  upon  the  green  sward  around 
them,  or  climbed  the  peach,  apple  and  cherry  trees  to 
assist  in  gathering  these  fruits.  Or  to  take  one  case 
out  of  many  similar  ones,  it  may  be  that  the  parents 
now  getting  advanced  in  years,  have  lost  a  child,  a 
bright  little  fellow,  whose  memory  is  still  cherished. 
A  child  buried  in  a  sacred  spot  upon  the  homestead  or 
in  the  little  cemetery  near  by,  increases  the  attach 
ment  for  the  old  home  where  they  have  passed  the 
greater  part  of  their  lives.  With  us  the  affections  for 
our  departed  relatives  and  friends  are  not  so  transi 
tory  as  among  the  Indians.  They  display  emotions  of 
grief  when  a  near  relative  is  sticken  down  by  death, 
the  same  as  we  do,  but  I  am  told  that  such  grief  is 
generally  more  evanescent  than  with  us.  I  believe, 
therefore,  that  it  is  less  difficult  for  an  army  to  occupv 
a  region  inhabited  by  a  people  whose  home  attach 
ments  are  very  strong,  than  a  country  like  this  in 
which  the  people  have  less  settled  habits  of  life. 

No  one  could  have  easily  believed,  if  he  had  seen 
our  Indian  soldiers  a  year  ago,  that  they  could  have 
been  brought  under  such  discipline,  as  to  make  them 
such  efficient  soldiers  as  they  have  recently  shown 
themselves  to  be  under  Colonel  Phillips.  When  I 
saw  hundreds  of  men,  women  and  children,  bathino- 


3iO  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

perfectly  nude  in  the  Neosho  River  a  little  over  a 
year  ago,  the  thought  never  entered  my  mind  that  the 
men  could  be  used  as  soldiers  to  fight  an  enemy,  ex 
cept  Indians  of  the  same  character.  But  under  Col 
onel  Phillips,  these  same  Indians,  during  the  spring 
and  summer,  have  contended  successfully,  and  in  point 
of  numbers,  less  than  man  for  man,  mainly  with  white 
troops  of  the  enemy.  Were  it  not  for  the  white  troops 
of  the  enemy,  there  would  now  be  no  armed  resistance 
to  the  authority  of  the  Government  in  this  whole  re 
gion,  so  skillfully  has  Colonel  Phillips  managed  the 
Indian  affairs  of  this  Territory. 

The  commissary  train  finished  unloading  on  the  6th, 
and  was  all  ferried  over  Grand  River  during  the  night, 
to  be  in  readiness  to  start  north  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  7th.  The  crossing  was  slow  and  tedious,  as  the 
trains  were  obliged  to  be  taken  over  on  flat  boats  at 
tached  to  ropes  stretched  across  the  river.  It  would 
be  a  great  convenience  if  we  had  a  steam  ferry  at  this 
post,  when  the  river  is  high.  It  is  not  likely,  how 
ever,  that  one  will  get  here  until  the  Arkansas  River 
is  opened  to  navigation  to  its  mouth. 

In  a  few  days  I  shall  have  quite  different  sur 
roundings,  though,  in  a  military  point  of  view,  I  can 
not  say  more  pleasant  ones.  It  has  been  some  pleasure 
to  chronicle  the  steady  progress  of  our  arms,  under 
such  great  disadvantages  as  we  have  had  to  contend 
with,  and  to  feel  conscious  that  our  commander  has 
not  made  a  single  mistake,  during  the  six  months  that 
we  have  had  our  eyes  upon  him.  The  importance  of 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  341 

this  position  is  now  recognized  by  higher  authorities, 
and  there  is  no  thought  of  abandoning  it.  Nor  is 
this  all.  It  will  be  a  point  from  which  expeditions 
will  be  fitted  out  to  operate  in  that  section  south  of 
the  Arkansas,  lying  in  the  direction  of  the  Red  River. 
From  this  time  on  the  enemy  will  probably  cease  to 
play  around  us,  as  they  have  been  doing  during  the 
past  summer  and  spring. 

I  shall  miss  the  continual  picket  firing,  that  has 
sounded  in  our  ears  during  the  spring  and  summer, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  days'  intermission,  from 
along  the  banks  of  the  Arkansas.  As  I  have  been 
with  that  portion  of  our  troops  occupying  the  most 
advanced  positions  in  the  enemy's  country,  over  a  year 
without  a  break,  I  shall  hardly  feel  at  home  for  a 
while,  removed  from  the  field  of  active  operations.  If 
I  am  to  keep  up  my  Chronicles  of  the  Rebellion  on  the 
Border,  it  would  be  better  that  I  should  remain  with 
the  most  active  division  of  the  army. 

A  few  days  more  will  take  us  to  Kansas,  where  we 
shall  see  a  larger  sprinkling  of  white  faces  than  we 
have  been  accustomed  to  see  here,  provided  that  the 
enemy  has  not  decided  to  make  an  effort  to  capture  our 
empty  train,  since  he  failed  to  take  it  loaded.  One 
section  of  Hopkins'  battery  and  detachments  from  the 
Second  Colorado,  and  the  Indian  regiments,  will  also 
accompany  the  train  forty  or  fifty  miles,  and  even 
further  north  if  deemed  necessary. 

The  train  and  escort  left  the  west  side  of  Grand 
River,  opposite  Fort  Blunt,  on  the  morning  of  the 


342  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

7th,  and  marched   to  Flat  Rock  Creek,  twenty  miles. 

Strong  flanking  parties  were  kept  out  during  the 
day,  and  the  most  recent  signs  of  the  enemy  we  saw 
were  his  trails  going  south,  probably  from  the  field  of 
his  defeat  at  Cabin  Creek,  on  the  2nd  instant.  It  was 
deemed  advisable,  however,  to  move  cautiously  until 
we  passed  Cabin  Creek,  as  it  was  not  known  but  that 
General  Cabell  might  have  crossed  Grand  River  at 
Grand  Saline,  with  his  force,  with  the  view  of  attack 
ing  the  train  on  its  return.  Flat  Rock  is  familiar  to 
most  of  us,  as  we  were  encamped  here  two  weeks  in 
the  latter  part  of  July,  last  year.  It  was  from  this 
point  that  the  "Indian  Expedition,"  returned  to  South 
ern  Kansas,  from  whence  we  marched  to  Lone  Jack  via 
Fort  Scott,  a  distance  of  over  two  hundred  miles. 

AVe  met  General  Blunt,  .July  9th,  with  a  force  of 
about  four  hundred  men,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Judson,  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry.  He  also  had  two 
twelve  pounder  mountain  howitzers  attached  to  the 
sixth,  and  two  six  pound  field  pieces,  under  Captain 
E.  A.  Smith.  He  left  Fort  Scott  only  three  days  ago, 
and  has  marched  in  this  time  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles.  As  soon  as  the  report  that  the  enemy  had  at 
tacked  our  escort  to  the  train  on  the  1st  instant  reached 
him,  he  started  out  on  a  forced  march.  He  will  have 
to  tone  himself  down  a  little  very  shortly  in  regard 
to  rapid  marches,  over  long  distances,  or  his  cavalry 
horses  will  be  run  down,  and  unfit  for  active  service^ 
before  his  soldiers  have  an  opportunity  of  meeting  the 
enemy  on  the  field.  He  will  have  when  he  arrives  at 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  343 

Fort  Blunt  (Gibson),  eight  field  pieces  and  four  how 
itzers,  and  between  three  and  four  thousand  cavalry  and 
infantry — quite  an  effective  little  army.  If  properly 
handled,  this  little  army  will  be  able  to  drive  the  ene 
my  from  his  present  position  and  to  capture  Fort  Smith, 
unless  it  has  recently  been  strengthened  by  increasing 
the  garrison,  or  building  new  fortifications.  It  is  Gen 
eral  Blunt's  intention  to  move  against  General  Cooper 
immediately  on  his  arrival  at  Gibson.  Those  who 
know  General  Blunt,  do  not  doubt  his  fighting  quali 
ties.  It  is  safe,  therefore,  to  predict  that  the  enemy 
will  be  obliged  to  fight  very  shortly,  or  retreat  from 
their  camp  on  Elk  Creek.  General  Cooper  would  not 
likely  be  able  to  hold  his  present  position  undisturbed 
many  days  longer,  even  if  General  Blunt  were  not  on 
the  way  to  Gibson,  for,  as  I  have  already  stated,  we 
had  reasons  for  believing  that  it  w^as  the  intention  of 
Colonel  Phillips,  as  soon  as  the  force  which  he  has 
sent  to  this  point,  or  perhaps  to  Horse  Creek,  twenty 
miles  further  north,  with  the  train,  returns,  to  cross 
the  Arkansas,  and  attack  General  Cooper  in  his  camp. 
Those  who  have  been  with  Colonel  Phillips  will  be 
lieve  that  he  should  have  control  of  whatever  move 
ment  is  made  against  the  enemy,  and  that  to  him 
should  belong  the  praise  or  blame  of  its  success  or 
failure.  But  that  he  would  be  able  to  rout  the 
enemy,  there  can  be  scarcely  a  shadow  of  doubt. 
If  General .  Blunt  goes  on  now  to  Gibson,  and 
takes  the  troops  there,  and  attacks  and  routs  the 
enemy,  his  friends  will  no  doubt  claim  for  him 


344  MEMOIRS  OP  THE   REBELLION 

all  the  glory,  though  he  will  not  be  justly  entitled 
to  it. 

I  spent  a  little  time  in  looking  over  the  field  of  the 
engagements  of  1st  and  2nd  instant,  during  the  few 
hours  the  train  stopped  there.  The  position  of  the  en 
emy  was  even  stronger  than  I  had  supposed,  and  it  is 
a  little  surprising  that  they  should  have  given  it  up 
without  a  harder  struggle  than  they  made. 

From  reports  that  have  reached  us  since  we  left 
Gibson,  we  have  expected  that  we  should  be  obliged  to 
fight  General  Cabell's  force  in  this  vicinity.  We  heard 
that  his  command  was  encamped  not  more  than  ten  or 
fifteen  miles  from  Cabin  Creek,  on  the  east  side  of 
Grand  River. 

We  went  into  camp,  on  the  Neosho  River,  on  the 
10th.  The  escort  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Dole  re 
turned  to  Fort  Gibson  on  the  evening  of  the  9th, 
having  accompanied  us  fifteen  miles  north  of  Cabin 
Creek.  The  crossing  of  the  Neosho  River  is  just 
about  half  way  between  Forts  Scott  and  Gibson.  The 
only  trouble  north  of  this  point  to  be  apprehended  is 
from  guerrillas.  Livingston  operates  through  this 
section,  and  is  now  reported  to  have  about  two  hun 
dred  effective  men.  He  was  at  Sherwood,  Missouri, 
about  ten  miles  northeast  of  Baxter  Springs,  a  few 
days  ago,  and  is  perhaps  watching  for  our  train.  The 
train  and  escort  left  Neosho  River  on  the  morning  of 
the  llth,  and,  after  marching  leisurely,  passed  Baxter 
Springs  about  three  o'clock.  We  went  into  camp 
early  on  Brush  Creek,  about  six  miles  north  of  Baxter 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  345 

Springs.  "We  were  at  that  point  not  more  than  seven 
or  eight  miles  from  Livingston's  old  headquarters. 

When  we  crossed  the  State  line,  and  passed  into 
Kansas,  about  a  mile  south  of  Baxter  Springs,  I  sa 
luted  with  reverence  the  State  that  has  to  me  always 
represented  a  principle,  a  principle,  too,  involving  the 
very  essence  of  progress. 

We  have  been  out  of  the  State  nearly  eleven  months, 
and  I  am  sure  that  others  felt  as  I  did,  when  they  first 
stepped  upon  her  soil.  This,  the  southeast  por 
tion  of  the  State,  is  a  fine  section,  and  will  be  densely 
settled  within  a  few  years,  after  the  hostile  forces  on 
both  sides  of  the  line  shall  have  sheathed  their  swords, 
and  peace  shall  reign  over  the  land. 


CHAPTEK  XVIII. 

The  battalion  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry  to  remain  at  Fort  Scott 
a  few  weeks — News  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  and  surrender 
of  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson  —  Remarks  on  the  pro 
gress  of  the  Federal  arms— Backbone  of  the  Confederacy 
broken — Frequent  contests  between  the  State  Militia  and 
guerrilas  in  Southwest  Missouri— Guerrilla  warfare  leads  to 
retaliation  and  personal  grudges — Major  Livingston,  the 
guerrilla  leader,  killed  by  the  Missouri  Militia — Remarks  on 
the  nature  of  his  operations — Colonel  Crittenden,  command 
ing  the  Militia  in  Southwest  Missouri,  after  the  enemy — Colo 
nel  Cloud  on  the  march  to  Fayetteville — General  Blunt  attacks 
General  Cooper's  army  at  Honey  Springs— Preparations  for 
the  battle — Furious  charge  of  the  Federal  troops — Complete 
rout  of  the  enemy  and  capture  of  one  piece  of  artillery,  col 
ors  and  prisoners — General  Cabell  came  up  after  the  battle 
was  over. 

The  train  and  escort,  composed  of  the  battalion  of 
the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  arrived  at  Fort  Scott  July 
14th.  We  shall  remain  here  a  few  weeks,  subject  to 
the  orders  of  Major  Blair,  the  Post  Commander.  In 
the  meantime,  the  dismounted  men  of  the  battalion 
will  be  remounted  upon  fresh  animals,  and  those  who 
have  brought  their  horses  through  will  draw  full  ra 
tions  of  forage  for  them  for  a  few  weeks,  which  will 
greatlv  improve  their  condition.  There  is  a  strong  con- 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  347 

trast  between  our  sun-faded  and  badly  worn  uniforms 
and  the  bright  new  uniforms  of  most  of  the  soldiers 
around  this  post.  The  fields  of  growing  corn  and 
harvested  grain,  and  herds  upon  a  thousand  hillsr 
make  us  feel  that  we  have  come  into  a  land  of  peace 
and  plenty.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  four  compa 
nies  that  have  seen  harder  service  than  this  battalion 
during  the  last  year. 

Coming  here  is  almost  like  entering  a  new  world. 
News  reaches  us  of  the  operations  of  our  armies  in  the 
east,  in  Tennessee  and  along  the  Mississippi  River,  of 
not  more  than  two  days  old.  We  have  just  heard  of 
the  great  battle  of  Gettysburg,  in  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
1st,  2d  and  3d  instant,  and  the  defeat  of  the  rebel  army 
under  General  Lee;  and  of  the  capture  of  Vicksburg, 
Mississippi,  by  General  Grant,  on  the  4th  instant,  with 
27,000  prisoners,  128  pieces  of  artillery,  eighty  siege 
guns,  and  arms  and  ammunition  for  60,000  men.  We 
also  hear  that  Port  Hudson,  below  Yicksburg,  on  the 
Mississippi,  lias  surrendered  to  General  Banks  since 
the  fall  of  Yicksburg,  with  between  eight  or  ten- 
thousand  prisoners,  fifty  to  sixty  pieces  of  artillery, 
small  arms  for  fifteen  thousand  men,  and  large  quanti 
ties  of  quartermaster's,  commissary  and  ordnance 
stores.  The  Mississippi  River  is  now  open  to  naviga 
tion  from  St.  Paul  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  fall 
of  Yicksburg  and  Port  Hudson  cuts  the  Confederacy 
nearly  through  the  middle,  and  the  leaders  of  the  re 
bellion  must  now  see  that  their  cause  is  utterly  hope 
less.  We  have  broken  the  enemy's  lines  from  Gettys- 


348  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

burg  to  Cabin  Creek  this  month,  and  unless  some  of 
our  military  commanders  make  a  series  of  great  blun 
ders,  the  destruction  of  all  the  rebel  armies  cannot  be 
delayed  longer  than  a  year  or  so.  Those  who  have 
predicted  that  the  war  for  the  Union  would  be  a  fail 
ure,  should  now  begin  to  see  their  mistake  if  they  do 
not  desire  it  to  be  a  failure.  There  will  no  doubt  be 
as  hard  fighting  yet  as  we  have  already  had;  for  since 
the  enemy  holds  no  strong  position  in  the  west,  he  can 
use  all  his  forces  in  the  field,  and  act  on  the  offensive 
instead  of  on  the  defensive.  He  can  send  flying  col 
umns  of  his  troops  here  and  there,  and  cause  a  great 
deal  of  annoyance  to  such  divisions  of  our  armies  as  are 
occupying  advanced  positions.  And  he  may  also  be 
able  to  make  cavalry  raids  far  into  the  rear  of  our 
armies.  To  keep  our  lines  of  communication  open 
from  the  Ohio  River  to  the  southern  line  of  Tennessee 
and  central  Mississippi,  is  no  small  task  for  our  troops. 
While  the  enemy  in  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Missis 
sippi,  are  not  hampered  in  their  movements  by  defend 
ing  important  points,  our  troops  are  occupying  so 
much  of  their  territory  that  they  will,  very  likely,  soon 
find  it  difficult  to  draw  supplies  for  their  large  armies. 
The  first  two  years -of  the  war  the  negroes  produced 
most  of  their  supplies,  and  performed  a  good  deal  of 
the  drudgery  for  their  troops.  This  season,  however, 
the  negroes  are  not  only  not  raising  crops  for  the  enemy 
and  assisting  him  in  various  ways,  but  they  are  actu 
ally  fighting  their  old  masters  with  muskets  in  their 
hands.  With  the  exception  of  portions  of  the  Caro- 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863. 

linas  and  Georgia  and  Alabama,  the  male  negroes 
have  probably  already  mostly  escaped  from  their  mas 
ters,  and  are  rapidly  enlisting  into  the  Union  army, 
and  singing  songs  of  deliverance  from  their  cruel  bon 
dage.  The  rebel  leaders  have  not  probably  calculated 
the  extent  they  would  be  weakened  by  the  slavehold 
ers  losing  their  slaves.  Indeed,  they  do  not  seem  to 
have  set  up  their  men  on  the  military  chess-board  at 
all  before  commencing  hostilities,  but  have  plunged 
blindly  into  the  conflict.  If  they  thought  that  the 
slaves  would  not  strike  for  their  freedom  the  first  op 
portunity,  they  were  surely  very  short-sighted.  The 
institution  for  which  the  Southern  States  have  at 
tempted  to  secede  and  keep  alive,  is  now  practically 
dead.  But  the  death-throes  of  a  monster  may  deceive 
those  who  only  look  at  the  surface  of  things.  Very 
few  people  of  the  South,  in  their  sober  minds,  care  but 
little  about  independence  without  the  institution  of 
slavery  is  kept  alive.  It  is  really  painful  to  think 
that  there  are  so  many  good  people  who  are  incompe 
tent  to  examine  introspectively  what  a  great  moral 
wrong  slavery  is.  It  can  be  accounted  for  by  self-in 
terest  and  education  through  generations.  We  are 
fighting  to  wipe  out  this  great  moral  wrong,  and  the 
South  is  fighting  to  perpetuate  it.  We  gradually  gain 
strength  the  more  this  question  is  discussed  and  talked 
about.  The  South  gradually  loses  by  the  same  means. 
A  moral  principle  will  bear  discussion  and  a  thorough 
examination ;  but  an  immoral  one  will  not.  Evil  do 
ers  wish  to  keep  their  evil  actions  in  the  dark. 


350  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

While  still  keeping  my  eye  on  the  army  under 
General  Blunt  and  Colonel  Phillips,  I  shall,  during 
my  stay  at  this  place,  give  more  attention  than  I  have 
hitherto  done  to  the  operations  of  our  troops  along 
the  border  counties  of  Missouri,  Kansas  and  Arkan 
sas. 

A  small  party  of  our  soldiers  who  have  just  arrived 
from  Neosho  and  Carthage  in  southwest  Missouri, 
report  that  the  militia  are  actively  engaged  in  that 
section  in  fighting  and  chasing  bushwhackers  and 
guerrillas.  Scarcely  a  day  passes  that  a  contest 
does  not  take  place  between  the  belligerent  parties. 
On  the  13th  instant  a  man  was  killed  near  Granby. 
It  was  at  first  supposed  that  he  was  murdered  by  some 
of  the  Missouri  militia  stationed  at  Newtonia  or  Neo- 
sho.  He  had  been  out  harvesting,  and  shortly  after 
returning  home  in  the  evening,  two  men,  supposed  to 
have  been  bushwhackers,  rode  up,  and  claiming  to 
belong  to  the  Seventh  Missouri  militia,  called  him  out, 
shot  him  down,  and  then  quickly  left.  This  is  a  fair 
sample  of  the  manner  in  which  the  war  is  carried  on 
in  Missouri  by  the  enemy.  It  sometimes  leads  to 
bloody  retaliation,  for  we  occasionally  hear  of  a  rebel 
civilian  who  has  been  mysteriously  murdered.  All  acts 
of  private  war  should  be  discountenanced  as  much  as 
possible,  for  if  it  were  extensively  carried  on  in  those 
States  where  the  people  are  nearly  equally  divided  in 
their  sentiments  for  and  against  the  Union,  the  bitter 
ness,  hatred  and  feelings  of  revenge  which  it  now 
engenders,  would  continue  between  families  of  differ- 


ON  THE    BORDER-1863.  351 

ent  neighborhoods,  long  after  peace  shall  have  been 
concluded  between  the  Government  and  the  rebellions 
sections.  Where  men  have  entered  either  army,  and 
are  willing  that  the  cause  which  they  have  espoused 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  arbitrament  of  battle,  they 
have  no  personal  feelings  against  individuals,  or  pri 
vate  grudges  against  their  neighbors  calling  for  revenge. 
iSTo  high-minded  soldier  ever  wounds  the  feelings  of  pris 
oners  whom  he  has  helped  to  capture  in  battle,  by  apply 
ing  to  them  reproachful  epithets.  But  if  we  take  two 
neighbors,  one  of  whom  enters  the  Union  army  and 
remains  away  from  his  home  daring  the  war,  and  the 
other  a  rebel,  who  stays  around  his  home  during  the 
war  and  depredates  upon  the  property  of  his  Union 
neighbor,  and  they  both  return  to  their  respective 
homes  after  the  war,  we  cannot  reasonably  expect  that 
very  friendly  relations  will  ever  exist  between  them. 
The  rebels  have  too  often  acted  as  if  they  expected  to 
have  every  thing  their  own  way  in  the  future;  as  if  the 
Union  people  had  no  rights  which  they  were  bound 
to  respect,  and  as  if  their  property  would  be  confiscat 
ed  in  a  few  years.  Now  that  the  downfall  of  the  Con 
federacy  cannot  be  delayed  to  a  very  distant  day,  unless 
almost  a  miracle  should  intervene  in  its  behalf,  those 
rebels  who  were  counting  upon  the  confiscation  of  the 
property  of  Union  prisoners  with  so  much  self-satis 
faction,  a-c  perhaps  beginning  to  regret  their  hasty 
actions.  They  perhaps  also  regret  that  they  have  fre 
quently  been  so  forward  in  pointing  out  the  property 
of  Union  citizens  for  seizure  by  the  rebel  armies. 


352  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

Information  reached  this  post  the  16th,  which  i& 
regarded  as  reliable,  that  Livingston  was  killed  about 
two  days  ago  at  Stockton,  sixty  miles  southeast  of  here, 
by  the  Missouri  State  militia.  It  seems  that  Livings 
ton  was  leading  a  charge  of  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  men  against  a  small  force  of  the  militia  posted  in 
a  brick  house,  and  that  when  the  enemy  came  within 
range  of  their  carbines,  they  delivered  a  volley  into 
them,  killing  Livingston  and  three  or  four  of  his  men, 
besides  wounding  several.  The  rebels,  after  the  loss  of 
their  leader,  retreated,  and  will  not  likely  be  so  trouble 
some  in  that  section  very  soon.  It  is  the  hardest  blow 
the  guerrillas  of  that  section  have  received  during  the 
war.  Major  Tom  Livingston,  as  he  has  generally  been 
called,  has  operated  in  Newton,  Jasper  and  Barton 
counties,  Missouri,  since  early  in  the  war.  Our  troops 
have  had  a  great  many  contests  with  him,  with  varying 
results.  Small  detachments  of  Federal  troops  have 
found  it  difficult  to  pass  through  the  section  in  which 
he  operated,  so  thoroughly  has  he  guarded  all  the 
passes  and  roads.  And  during  the  past  two  years  he 
has  killed  and  captured  quite  a  number  of  our  soldiers. 
But,  as  stated  in  another  place,  he  has  not  been  accused 
of  murdering  any  of  our  soldiers  that  he  has  taken  as 
prisoners,  with  the  exception  of  one  or  two  colored 
soldiers  that  he  captured  last  spring  in  the  vicinity  of 
Spring  River.  Colonel  Williams  retaliated  by  shooting 
an  equal  number  of  rebel  prisoners  which  he  had  cap 
tured  and  held,  and  then  informed  Livingston  what  he 
had  done.  Sometime  after  this  occurrence  Livingston's 


ON   THE   BORDER— 1863  353 

force  captured  several  other  colored  soldiers,  but  did 
not  order  them  shot.  They  were  exchanged  man  for 
man  for  rebel  prisoners.  Only  by  severe  measures  can 
most  rebel  officers  be  brought  to  listen  to  the  appeals  of 
justice.  But  that  which  has  made  Livingston's  name 
so  familiar  to  every  gne  along  the  border,  is  the  suc 
cess  with  which  he  has  so  often  eluded  our  forces  when 
sent  in  search  of  him.  Time  and  again  expeditions 
of  cavalry  have  been  sent  into  Jasper  county  for  the 
purpose  of  capturing  or  driving  him  out  of  that  sec 
tion.  Some  of  the  expeditions  have  scouted  the  Spring 
Kiver  country  thoroughly  for  several  days  without  find 
ing  any  of  his  men.  Others  have  had  skirmishes  with 
some  of  his  men,  who  have  generally  quickly  disap 
peared,  not  to  be  found  again.  The  country  along  Spring 
River  is  thickly  clothed  with  young  timber,  or  woods, 
and  affords  many  excellent  hiding  places  for  guerrillas 
and  outlaws.  While  he  has  not  captured  or  destroyed 
much  Government  property,  he  has  kept  the  enemy  in 
our  front  well  advised  of  our  movements  in  this  sec 
tion.  Before  the  recent  battle  at  Cabin  Creek,  General 
Cooper's  troops  seemed  to  be  as  well  informed  of  the 
movements  of  our  train  and  escort  as  we  were.  Last 
year  detachments  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry  chased 
and  skirmished  with  him  a  good  deal,  and  it  was 
reported  and  believed  that  he  wore  a  steel  breast  plate 
or  something  that  was  bullet-proof.  I  have  heard  not 
less  than  three  men  of  our  regiment  say  that  they  took 
deliberate  aim  at  him  with  their  carbines  at  short  range, 
and  wrre  satisfied  that  they  struck  him:  but  that  the 
23 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

carbine  balls  were  turned  aside  by  something  impenetra 
ble  which  he  wore.  In  Homeric  times  the  soldiers 
would  have  said  that  some  goddess  turned  aside  the 
death-dealing  missiles.  Rebel  citizens  say  that  Colo 
nel  Coffey  is  expected  in  southwest  Missouri  soon,  to 
take  command  of  Livingston's  force.  But  he  will  not 
make  such  a  successful  leader  as  Livingston  has  been. 

On  the  17th  inst.  Colonel  Crittenden,  commanding 
at  Newtonia,  sent  out  twro  hundred  mounted  militia 
in  the  direction  of  Carthage  and  Spring  River,  with 
the  determination  oi  driving  Livingston's  old  band  out 
of  that  section.  This  force  had  a  skirmish  with  the 
enemy  in  which  four  rebels  were  killed  and  one  of  the 
militia  wounded.  The  next  day  a  trail  some  distance 
south  of  the  place  where  the  skirmish  occurred  was 
discovered,  and  it  is  believed  that  the  larger  portion  of 
the  guerrilla  force  of  that  section  have  gone  south. 
Major  Burch,  commanding  a  battalion  of  the  Eighth 
Missouri  militia  cavalry  at  E"eosho,  has  been  displaying 
great  activity  lately  in  scouting  the  country  for  a 
distance  of  twenty-five  miles  north,  west  and  south  of 
his  station.  He  is  regarded  as  a  brave  and  very  effi 
cient  officer,  and  the  guerrillas  will  doubtless  prefer  to 
keep  a  safe  distance  from  his  troops.  His  soldiers  are 
well  mounted  and  armed,  and  know  the  country  as 
well  as  the  enemy. 

Colonel  Cloud,  with  most  of  his  regiment,  the  Second 
Kansas  cavalry,  and  two  or  three  Arkansas  regiments, 
were  at  Cassville  on  the  18th  instant,  and  are  expected 
to  move  south  towards  Fayetteville  and  Yan  Buren 


ON   THE   BORDER-1863.  355 

in  a  few  days,  with  the  view  of  co-operating  with 
General  Blunt,  who  recently  went  down  to  take  com 
mand  of  the  troops  at  Fort  Gibson.  Since  General 
Herron's  division  was  ordered  to  join  General  Grant, 
in  the  seige  of  Yicksburg,  several  months  ago,  there 
are  not  so  many  of  our  troops  along  the  southern  line 
of  Missouri  as  there  were  during  the  lattter  part  of  the 
winter ;  but  I  still  think  that  there  have  been  enough  to 
spare  a  force  sufficient  to  re-occupy  and  hold  Fayette- 
ville,  Arkansas.  After  the  withdrawal  of  our  troops 
from  northwestern  Arkansas  several  months  ago,  our 
position  at  Fort  Blunt  has  been  much  more  difficult  to 
hold  than  it  was  before  Colonel  Harrison  left  Fayette- 
ville,  for,  as  I  have  already  stated,  the  enemy  have 
been  able  to  direct  all  his  forces  in  western  Arkan 
sas  and  the  Indian  country  against  the  division  of 
Colonel  Phillips. 

Colonel  Blair,  the  Post  Commander,  has  just  re 
ceived  a  despatch  from  General  Blunt,  stating  that  he 
attacked  and  routed  the  forces  of  General  Cooper  at 
Honey  Springs,  on  Elk  Creek,  twenty-five  miles  south 
of  Fort  Gibson,  last  Friday  morning,  July  17th.  A 
detachment  of  about  twenty  men  came  through  from 
Fort  Blunt  with  despatches  and  the  mail.  Nearly  all 
these  men  were  in  the  engagement  at  Honey  Springs. 
I  have  therefore  talked  with  several  of  them,  to  get  the 
particulars  of  the  battle.  General  Blunt  reached  Fort 
Gibson  on  the  llth,  two  days  alter  we  met  him  at 
Cabin  Creek.  He  rested  the  cavalry  and  artillery  that 
he  took  down  with  him  for  four  days,  as  the  Arkansas 


356  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

River  was  still  too  full  to  be  fordable.  In  the  mean 
time  he  collected  all  the  fiat  boats  that  could  be  found, 
for  the  purpose  of  crossing  his  artillery  and  troops 
over  the  Arkansas  at  the  mouth  of  Grand  River.  On 
the  evening  of  the  15th  he  directed  that  a  given  num 
ber  of  men  from  each  regiment,  battalion  and  battery, 
be  supplied  with  four  days'  rations  in  haversacks,  and 
forty  rounds  of  ammunition  in  their  cartridge  boxes, 
and  to  be  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice. 
His  troops,  artillery  and  ambulances,  being  in  readi 
ness  to  move,  the  General  took  four  hundred  cavalry 
and  four  pieces  of  light  artillery,  and  at  midnight  of 
the  loth  crossed  Grand  River  near  the  Fort  and  the 
Yerdigris  River,  seven  or  eight  miles  to  the  southwest, 
and  then  marched  up  the  Arkansas  to  a  point  about 
eighteen  miles  southwest  of  Fort  Gibson,  and  forded 
the  river.  It  was  quite  deep,  coming  up  to  the  flanks 
of  the  horses.  The  caissons  were  detached  from  the 
artillery  wragons  and  carried  across  the  river  on  horses,, 
to  keep  the  ammunition  dry.  After  he  had  crossed 
his  forces  over  the  river  and  replaced  the  caissons,  he 
marched  rapidly  down  the  south  bank  to  a  point  op 
posite  the  mouth  of  Grand  River,  with  the  intention 
of  cutting  off  and  capturing  the  enemy's  pickets, 
stationed  along  the  river  guarding  the  fords,  etc.  But 
they  had  by  some  means  got  wind  of  his  movement, 
and  being  mounted  upon  good  horses,  only  two  or 
three  were  captured.  He  arrived  opposite  the  mouth 
of  Grand  River  before  twelve  o'clock  the  16th,  and 
immediately  set  the  boats  in  motion  and  got  his  troops 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  357 

and  artillery  all  ferried  over  before  night,  and  at  once 
set  out  on  the  march  for  Elk  Creek,  where,  according 
to  information  he  had  received  through  his  scouts, 
General  Cooper  was  encamped  with  six  thousand  men, 
Texans  and  Indians.  His  own  force  was  less  than 
three  thousand  five  hundred  effective  men.  General 
Blunt's  scouts  reported  to  him  that  General  Cabell, 
with  three  thousand  men  and  some  artillery,  was  on 
his  way  to  join  General  Cooper,  that  Generals  Cooper 
and  Cabell  were  making  preparations  for  a  combined 
attack  on  Fort  Blunt  in  a  few  days.  General  Blunt 
was  therefore  determined  to  hasten  forward  and  attack 
General  Cooper  before  General  Cabell  could  form  a 
junction  with  him.  He  made  a  night's  march  from 
the  South  bank  of  the  Arkansas  to  Elk  Creek,  reaching 
there  at  sunrise.  Four  companies  of  the  Sixth  Kansas 
cavalry  under  Captain  H.  S.  Greeno,  with  their  two 
mountain  howitzers,  took  the  advance  and  drove  in 
the  enemy's  outposts  at  daybreak.  Captain  Greeno 
followed  them  up  closely  until  they  fell  back  upon  the 
main  force,  posted  in  the  timber  on  the  south  side  of 
Elk  Creek.  The  enemy  commenced  to  flank  him  and 
he  fell  back  upon  the  infantry  and  artillery,  which  had 
not  made  such  rapid  progress,  and  were  some  distance 
in  the  rear  coming  up.  General  Blunt  marched  his 
entire  force  up  to  within  half  mile  of  the  enemy's  line, 
and  halted  a  short  time  to  enable  his  men  to  take  lunch 
from  their  haversacks.  Soldiers  should  always,  as  far 
as  practicable,  be  allowed  to  replenish  their  stores  of 
force  before  going  into  battle.  The  weather  was  quite 


358  MEMOIKS  OP  THE   REBELLION 

warm,  and  a  night  inarch  had  much  fatigued  the  in 
fantry,  so  that  they  required  food  and  rest  before  engag 
ing  the  enemy.  After  his  troops  had  lunched,  and  rested 
a  short  time,  General  Blunt  formed  them  into  two  col 
umns  for  making  the  attack.  The  right,  under  Colonel 
W.  R.  Judson,  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry,  was  to  move 
forward  to  the  right  of  the  Texas  road,  and  the  left, 
under  Colonel  W.  A.  Phillips,  was  to  move  forward  to 
the  left  of  the  road.  The  whole  force,  cavalry,  infantry, 
and  artillery ,  inarched  in  columns  of  companies  up  to 
within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  enemy's  position  in 
the  woods,  and  then  came  into  line  on  the  right  and 
left  of  the  road,  and  halted  for  a  moment.  While 
General  Blunt  with  his  staff  and  escort  were  examin 
ing  the  position  of  the  enemy,  one  of  their  sharp 
shooters  wounded  one  of  the  General's  escorts.  The 
cavalry  in  the  meantime  had  been  skirmishing  with 
the  enemy,  and  was  forcing  him  to  show  his  exact  po 
sition.  The  line  moved  forward  a  hundred  yards  or 
so,  and  halted  again.  General  Blunt  then  directed 
Captain  Smith  to  bring  his  battery  into  position,  and 
to  open  with  shell  and  shrapnel  upon  a  wood  where  it 
was  believed  that  the  enemy  had  a  battery  and  a  large 
force  massed.  Captain  Henry  Hopkins  was  next  direct 
ed  to  bring  his  battery  into  position  a  few  hundred 
yards  distant  from  Captain  Smith's,  and  to  open  upon 
the  enemy  in  another  place.  It  was  now  soon  discov 
ered  that  the  line  of  battle  of  the  enemy  was  nearly  a 
mile  and  a  half  in  length.  The  cavalry  on  the  right 
and  left  were  now  warmly  engaged,  and  the  enemy 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  359 

commenced  to  reply  with  his  artillery.  General  Blunt 
went  to  Colonel  Williams  and  said,  "  Colonel,  I  think 
that  we  have  got  the  location  of  one  of  the  enemy's 
batteries.  I  wish  you  would  keep  your  eye  upon  it, 
and  if  you  see  an  opportunity,  I  should  like  to  have 
you  take  it  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  with  your  col 
ored  regiment."  Colonel  Williams  remarked  that  his 
men  were  eager  to  charge  the  enemy,  and  if  it  were 
possible  he  would  take  the  battery.  He  then  addressed 
his  men  briefly;  he  told  them  to  pay  strict  attention 
to  orders;  to  reserve  their  fire  until  the  order  to  fire 
was  given,  and  then  to  take  deliberate  aim  at  the  waists 
of  the  enemy ;  that  they  would  now  in  a  few  moments 
have  an  opportunity  of  displaying  their  valor  on  an 
open  field ;  and  that  the  eyes  of  the  country  were  upon 
them.  He  then  took  his  proper  position  and  gave  the 
order,  fix  bayonets,  forward,  march.  He  then  moved 
up  within  short  range  of  the  enemy's  line  and  halted 
a  moment,  and  gave  the  order  ready,  aim,  fire,  and  in 
stantly  a  long  line  of  muskets  were  leveled  upon  the 
enemy,  and  the  smoke  and  roar  of  the  volley  told  that 
the  swift  messengers  of  death  and  destruction  had 
sped  forth  on  their  bloody  mission.  The  enemy  at  the 
same  time  were  keeping  up  a  brisk  fire  all  along 
the  line.  The  colored  regiment  had  perhaps  fired  less 
than  half  a  dozen  rounds  when  Colonel  Williams  was 
wounded  in  the  breast,  and  was  borne  to  the  rear. 
Lieut.-Colonel  J.  Bowles  then  took  command  of  the 
regiir.ent,  and  after  continuing  the  firing  for  a  short 
time,  and  obocrving  carefully  where  the  smoke  arose 


360  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

from  the  rebel  battery,  and  seeing  that  it  was  not  very 
far  off,  he  pointed  to  it  with  his  sword,  and  telling  his 
men  that  he  wanted  them  to  take  it,  gave  the  order 
charge  bayonets.  The  regiment  moved  forward,  in 
creasing  its  speed  until  within  a  few  yards  of  the  rebel 
line,  and  then  with  a  shout  rushed  like  an  avalanche, 
upon  it,  bayoneting  a  great  many  rebels  and  captur 
ing  one  piece  of  ar tilery.  The  enemy  seeing  what  was 
coming,  limbered  up,  and  quickly  removed  the  other 
pieces  out  of  reach.  Seeing  now  that  the  centre  and 
strongest  point  of  the  enemy's  line  was  broken  and  in 
disorder,  General  Blunt  ordered  his  entire  line  to 
charge  them,  and  in  a  short  time  they  were 
routed  completely  at  all  points.  He  pursued  them 
about,  three  miles,  but  as  his  troops  were  much  fatigued 
from  having  marched  all  the  previous  night,  he  biv 
ouacked  on  the  field.  Our  cavalry,  which  continued 
to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  discovered 
General  Cabell  coming  in  sight  with  a  large  force  of 
about  three  thousand  men,  about  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  The  enemy  whom  we  had  fought  in  the 
morning,  having  received  large  reinforcements,  Gen 
eral  Blunt  expected  that  they  would  return  and  attack 
him  that  evening  or  the  next  morning.  But  they  did 
not.  Nor  did  they  retreat  further  South  after  Gen 
eral  Cabell  came  up. 

General  Blunt  called  the  engagement  the  battle  of 
*'  Honey  Spring,"  as  that  was  the  name  of  General 
Cooper's  camp  on  Elk  Creek.  The  First  Kansas  col 
ored  infantry  and  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry  suffered 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  361 

most  in  killed  and  wounded  on  our  side;  though  all 
our  troops  that  participated,  behaved  with  the  utmost 
coolness  during  the  entire  battle.  The  Sixth  Kansas 
cavalry  suffered  more  than  the  rest  of  our  cavalry  on 
account  of  having  been  assigned  to  the  task  of  turn 
ing  the  enemy's  left  flank,  which  they  did  handsomely 
by  sweeping  down  upon  them  in  a  saber  charge. 
General  Blunt  is  familiar  with  the  fighting  qualities«of 
the  Sixth,  as  he  was  only  a  few  rods  from  Colonel 
Jewell  when  he  fell  leading  his  regiment  at  the  battle 
of  Cane  Hill,  the  29th  of  last  November.  But  I  will 
not  endeavor  to  bestow  undue  praise  upon  the  Sixth 
regiment  because  I  happen  to  belong  to  it,  for  I  know 
that  every  regiment  of  Kansas  troops  in  the  division 
with  which  I  have  served,  have  acted  with  conspicuous 
bravery  upon  every  field. 

Our  loss  in  this  engagement  was  seventeen  killed 
and  sixty  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  150 
left  dead  upon  the  field,  and  400  wounded  and  seventy- 
seven  prisoners.  And  we  captured  from  him  one 
piece  of  artillery,  two  hundred  stands  of  arms,  one 
stand  of  colors,  and  fifteen  wagons.  The  stand  of 
colors  belonged  to  the  20th  Texas  regiment,  and  there 
seems  to  be  some  controversy  as  to  whom  it  now  be 
longs  as  a  trophy.  Colonel  F.  "W.  Schaurtie,  in  com 
mand  of  a  portion  of  the  Indian  cavalry,  picked  up 
the  rebel  colors  on  the  field  in  front  of  the  First  Kan 
sas  colored  infantry,  after  the  enemy's  line  had  been 
broken.  Lieut.  Colonel  Bowles,  of  the  First  Kansas 
colored  infantry,  asserts  his  men  shot  down  three  rebel 


362  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

color  bearers,  including  the  last  one  holding  this  stand 
of  colors,  and  that  he  forbade  any  of  his  men  to  leave 
ranks  to  pick  it  up,  until  our  line  should  advance  on 
the  right  and  left.  After  hearing  several  statements 
in  regard  to  the  matter,  I  am  induced  to  think  that 
the  captured  colors  rightfully  belong  as  a  trophy  to 
the  First  Kansas  colored  infantry.  Colonel  Schaurtie 
is^a  brilliant  young  officer,  and  if  his  men  did  not 
really  kill  the  rebel  color  bearer,  he  will  hardly  con 
test  the  right  to  hold  the  colors  as  a  trophy  for  his 
men. 

General  Blunt,  after  having  buried  the  dead  of  both 
armies,  and  gathered  up  our  wounded  in  ambulances, 
returned  to  Fort  Blunt  on  the  19th  instant.  The  rebel 
forces  were  too  much  demoralized  to  take  the  offensive, 
arid  General  Blunt  was  not  prepared  to  pursue  them 
further  south. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  enemy  burn  the  Court  House  and  Academy  at  Carthage — 
County  records  carried  away  in  Missouri — Rebel  guerillas 
near  Fort  Scott — Rebel  women  carry  information  to  the 
enemy — Cholera  and  Small -pox  at  Fort  Gibson — Probable 
cause  of  Cholera  breaking  out — A  soldier  killed  by  Captain 
Tough— A  little  too  much  drunkenness— Major  Blair  closes 
the  whisky  shops — Resisting  the  draft— Great  riot  in  New 
York  City — Remarks  on  neutrality — Arrival  of  Colonel  Phil 
lips  from  the  front — The  supply  train  starts  to  Fort  Gibson — 
Recruiting  of  the  Fourteenth  Kansas  Cavalry — Large  bounties 
paid  by  the  government  for  recruits — State  bounties  in  some 
of  the  States— Skirmish  between  several  squadrons  of  Federal 
troops  through  mistake — Skirmish  with  guerillas  near  Ball- 
town — Appeal  of  the  rebel  government  for  more  troops — Des 
cription  of  the  country  around  Fort  Scott— Recruiting  color 
ed  troops. 

A  small  detachment  of  our  soldiers  who  have  just 
come  up  from  Carthage,  sixty  miles  southeast  of  this 
place,  state  that  rebel  bands  are  collecting  in  consider 
able  force  in  Jasper  County,  under  Colonel  Craven^ 
who  formerly  lived  in  that  section;  and  that  there  is 
a  fair  prospect  of  a  light  between  them  and  the  mili 
tia  in  a  few  days.  They  have  recently  burned  the 
court  house,  and  a  fine  brick  academy  at  Carthage,  to 
keep  our  troops  from  using  them  as  a  means  of  de- 


364:  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

fense,  as  they  used  the  brick  building  at  Stockton  not 
long  since,  when  the  rebel  Chieftain  Livingston  was 
killed.  The  guerillas  of  Missouri  know  that  court 
houses  and  strong  buildings  can  be  of  very  little  bene 
fit  to  them  in  the  way  of  defenses,  and  that  our  troops 
are  always  delighted  to  get  them  in  such  places.  They 
would  not  likely  make  much  of  an  effort  to  dislodge 
them  with  small  arms,  but  would  probably  try  to  hold 
them,  until  a  section  of  a  battery  could  be  brought 
from  the  nearest  post  to  play  upon  them.  A  few 
shells  thrown  into  a  building,  should  they  take  refuge 
in  one,  would  soon  start  them  out.  From  what  I 
have  seen  on  several  occasions,  I  think  they  would 
prefer  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  small  arms,  than  to  have 
shells  bursting  around  their  heads  in  a  court  house 
hall.  But  burning  such  buildings  in  the  towns,  as 
would  answer  the  purpose  of  quartering  a  company 
of  troops,  may  be  of  some  advantage  to  the  enemy, 
while  he  is  determined  to  keep  up  a  guerilla  warfare. 
In  the  burning  of  county  property,  which  has  been 
done  in  a  good  many  instances,  the  enemy  have  not 
often  destroyed  county  records,  for  most  of  such  re 
cords  were  carried  away  or  concealed  by  the  rebels 
when  General  Price's  forces  were  driven  out  of  Mis 
souri  in  February,  1862.  As  a  general  thing,  perhaps, 
both  parties  feel  an  interest  in  preventing  the  destruc 
tion  of  county  records.  Unless  the  county  records 
can  be  restored  after  the  war,  a  good  deal  of  confusion 
is  likely  to  arise  in  regard  to  the  titles  to  property. 
Those  owning  real  estate  in  Missouri,  cannot  but  feel 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  365 

some  anxiety  in  regard  to  tne  matter.  Though  it  may 
be  that  the  General  Land  Officer  will  show  to  whom 
any  given  piece  of  property  was  conveyed  by  the  gov 
ernment,  it  will  not  show  the  title  of  the  present  own 
er  to  such  property  if  it  has  been,  sold  by  the  original 
purchaser  from  the  government. 

The  enemy  are  getting  quite  bold  in  this  vicinity  of 
late.      A  party  of  guerrillas,  under  Captain  Taylor, 
crossed  the  line  on  the  night  of  the  24th,  and  came 
within  about  two  miles  of  this  post,  and  robbed  sev 
eral  families.     Major  Bkir,  who  is  kept  quite  busy  in 
fitting  out  trains  to  carry  supplies  to  our  troops  in  the 
Indian  country,  is  also  obliged  to  be  constantly  on  the 
alert  in  looking  after  the  guerrillas  in  this  section. 
If  our  troops  become  a  little  inactive  along  the  bord 
er,  the  enemy  soon  finds  it  out  and  commences  com 
mitting  depredations.     The  commanding  officer  at  the 
post  should  have  a  sufficient  cavalry  force  at  his  dis 
posal  to  send  out  two  detachments  every  day,  to  the 
east,  the  southeast  and  the  northeast  of  this  place,  say 
twenty-five  or  thirty  miles.     But  even  such  a  measure 
would  not  absolutely  stop  their  depredations  and, raids 
into  Kansas,  for  they  generally  stop  during  the  day  at 
some  isolated  and  lonely  spot  where  our  troops  are  not 
likely  to  find  them.     If  they  return  to  their  retreats 
by  separate  paths  and  byways,  they  need  not  make  a 
trail   that   could   be  easily  followed    by    our  troops. 
Rebel  families  from  Yernon  county,  Missouri,  come 
in  here  every  day  to  trade  with  our  merchants,  and,  no 
doubt,  easily  get  such  information  in  regard  to  our 


366  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

movements  as  to  keep  the  enemy  well  advised.  I 
made  some  inquiries  for  my  own  satisfaction  in  rela 
tion  to  this  matter,  and  I  found  that  almost  every  day 
there  are  women  of  questionable  loyalty,  coming  in 
here  from  Vernon  and  Barton  counties,  Missouri — 
sometimes,  too,  from  a  distance  of  twenty -five  or  thirty 
miles.  They  generally  claimed  to  have  passes,  and  I 
presume  they  did,  having  got  some  one  to  vouch  for 
them,  so  that  they  come  and  go  undisturbed.  They  may 
purchase  not  only  articles  for  domestic  use,  but  also 
ammunition  for  the  enemy.  My  own  idea  is  that  we 
should  be  more  vigilant  in  such  things.  Loyal  men, 
no  doubt,  often  thoughtlessly  vouch  for  parties  whom 
they  should  not.  It  would  not  be  pleasant  to  know 
that  we  have  been  furnishing  the  enemy  with  the 
means  for  our  own  destruction.  Yet  there  is  reason 
to  believe  that  we  have  sometimes  done  it. 

A  detachment  of  cavalry  just  up  from  Fort  Gibson, 
report  that  the  cholera  has  broken  out  among  the 
troops  at  that  post,  and  that  quite  a  number  have  al 
ready  died  from  that  dreadful  disease.  General  Blunt 
is  also  on  the  sick  list.  It  can  hardly  be  what  is 
known  as  the  Asiatic  cholera,  for  that  type  of  cholera 
generally  appears  in  the  east  and  travels  westward. 
When  we  were  on  short  rations  at  Fort  Gibson  last 
month,  I  suggested  that  there  was  some  danger  of 
constitutional  disturbances  following  our  radical 
change  of  food.  Of  course,  I  had  not  the  slightest 
idea  what  form  the  constitutional  disturbance  would 
likely  take.  By  inquiry  I  ascertained  that  the  men 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  367 

•did  not  relish  their  food ;  and  I  felt  sure,  too,  that  it 
was  not  making  good  healthy  blood,  without  which 
no  one  can  display  prolonged  activity,  nor  long  retain 
good  health.  From  the  22d  of  June  to  the  4th  of 
July,  nearly  all  the  white  men  belonging  to  the  gar 
rison  force  at  Fort  Gibson,  lost  from  one  to  several 
pounds  of  flesh.  Nor  is  this  all.  At  the  end  of  our 
fast,  nearly  everyone  had  sustained  a  loss  of  energy 
,and  bouyancy.  Even  after  we  commenced  to  issue 
full  rations,  the  loss  of  power  was  not  immediately  re 
stored  to  the  men.  It  may  be  that  the  digestive  and 
.assimilative  organs  became  enfeebled  with  the  rest  of 
.the  system.  This,  however,  is  a  question  which  the  med 
ical  profession  should  be  most  competent  to  decide. 
After  the  system  becomes  deteriorated  by  poor  food, 
it  must,  of  necessity,  take  some  time  to  build  up  good 
healthy  tissues,  even  when  nutritious  food  has  been 
supplied  to  the  stomach  and  alimentary  system. 

The  small-pox,  also,  when  we  recently  left  Fort  Gib 
son,  was  still  afflicting  our  troops  there — particularly 
.the  Indians.  Since  I  referred  to  this  disease  last 
March,  we  have  lost  a  good  many  Indian  soldiers  by 
it.  But  the  greatest  mortality  caused  by  it  has  been 
among  refugee  Indian  families.  Though  my  bump 
of  curiosity  has  taken  me  around  to  notice  everything 
I  could  think  of,  it  never  took  me  to  the  small-pox 
hospital.  Considering  the  heterogeneous  mass  of 
humanity  we  had  together  last  winter,  we  are, 
perhaps,  fortunate  that  we  were  no  worse  afflicted 
-during  the  spring  and  summer,  and  no  doubt 


368  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

would  have  been,  were  it  not  for  the  vigilant  eye  of 
Colonel  Phillips. 

On  the  28th,  W.  S.  Tough,  Captain  and  Chief  of 
Scouts,  shot  and  killed  a  soldier  on  the  street.  It 
seems  that  the  soldier  was  drunk  and  making  some 
demonstration  which  led  Tough  to  believe  that  he  was 
endeavoring  to  dravv  his  pistol.  From  what  I  can  find 
out  about  the  matter,  however,  I  think  it  would  have 
been  much  more  creditable  to  Captain  Tough  to  have 
turned  his  pistol  against  the  enemy.  Why  a  Captain 
of  civilian  scouts  should  be  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
from  the  front  is  unaccountable  to  me  anyway.  Nor 
have  I  heard  of  him  being  with  us  any  time  during 
the  spring  or  summer.  "We  have  noticed  more  drunk 
enness  among  the  soldiers  since  we  came  here  two 
weeks  ago,  than  during  the  six  months  in  Colonel 
Phillips'  division.  In  fact,  a  drunken  soldier,  white 
or  Indian,  was  a  rare  sight.  Major  Blair,  the  Post 
commander,  is  going  to  issub  an  order  shortly,  closing 
up  those  whisky  shops  that  sell  intoxicating  liquors  to 
soldiers.  It  would  be  a  great  blessing,  not  only  to 
many  families,  but  to  many  inebriates  themselves,  if 
some  effective  measures  could  be  adopted  to  check  the 
evil.  The  evils  likely  to  arise  from  the  use  of  intoxica 
ting  liquors,  should  be  pointed  out  in  the  moral  teach 
ing  of  the  head  of  every  family  as  clearly  and  forci 
bly  as  possible.  But  there  will  be  legislative  tinker 
ing  on  the  subject  of  prohibition  for  generations  yet. 

The  enforcing  of  the  draft  is  beginning  to  cause  a 
good  deal  of  excitement  in  the  eastern  cities,  and  has 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863  369 

already  resulted  in  a  great  not  in  New  York  city, 
where  hundreds  of  men  have  been  either  killed,  beaten 
or  bruised.  To  my  mind,  men  who  will  risk  their 
lives  in  resisting  the  draft  rather  than  enlist  in  the 
service  of  the  Government  at  this  time,  cannot  be 
counted  on  much  for  their  loyalty.  That  there  should 
be  so  many  traitors  to  the  Government  in  the  North, 
is  really  surprising.  Every  leader  who  advises  resist 
ing  the  draft,  should  be  either  hung  or  banished  be 
yond  our  lines.  The  Government  must  either  act 
firmly  or  surrender  to  the  enemy.  It  cannot  afford  to 
trifle  with  the  foe  at  home  any  more  than  at  the  front. 
Everybody  now  is  either  friend  or  foe  of  the  Govern 
ment.  There  is  no  half-way  ground;  and  anyone  pre 
tending  to  be  neutral  is  endeavoring  to  hide  his  dis 
loyalty  behind  that  term.  It  would  be  much  more 
honorable  for  them  to  come  out  and  avow  their  dis 
loyalty.  These  very  men,  too,  who  wish  to  be  neu-. 
tral,  if  they  are  assaulted  or  robbed,  are  as  quick  to 
appeal  to  the  Government  for  protection  or  relief,  as 
the  staunchest  supporter  of  the  Union  cause.  But  if 
they  are  really  neutral  what  right  have  they  to  ask  the 
Government  for  protection  of  life  or  property  ?  In 
the  first  place,  the  Government  cannot  recognize  the 
right  of  any  one  to  remain  neutral  in  a  life  or  death 
struggle  like  the  present.  Those  who  believe  that  the 
Government  is  worth  preserving,  should  willingly  risk 
their  lines  in  its  defense;  that  is,  if  they  are  not  too 
cowardly  to  shoulder  the  musket.  It  would  doubt 
less  be  safe  to  predict  that  many  of  those  now  claim- 
24 


370  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

ing  to  be  neutral,  and  who  have  had,  or  may  yet  have 
supplies  taken  from  them  by  our  army,  will  ask  the 
Government  to  pay  for  such  supplies  after  the  war.  As 
there  is  not  the  remotest  probability  of  the  Govern 
ment  paying  the  enemy  for  supplies  taken  from  them  I 
don't  see  how  it  can  pay  the  neutrals  for  supplies  taken 
from  them,  since  by  their  own  choosing  they  have  not 
classed  themselves  among  its  friends.  These  riotous  de 
monstrations  in  the  North,  I  have  no  doubt,  give  great 
encouragement  to  the  enemy,  and  will  have  a  ten 
dency  to  prolong  the  war.  Since  the  recent  great  vic 
tories  of  our  armies  from  the  East  to  the  far  West,  the 
enemy,  like  a  drowning  man,  are  willing  to  catch  at  a 
straw.  Though  the  rioters  may  greatly  assist  the  en 
emy  by  keeping  many  of  our  troops  at  home  who 
should  be-  at  the  front,  yet  the  riots  will  prove  a  weak 
straw  for  the  enemy  to  cling  to. 

Colonels  Phillips  and  Wattles  came  in  on  the  30th 
from  Fort  Gibson,  with  a  smaller  escort  and  a  number 
of  the  wounded  from  the  battle  of  Honey  Springs. 
They  do  not  furnish  any  additional  information  in  re 
gard  to  that  battle.  From  conversations  with  several 
other  parties,  I  am.  satisfied  that  the  account  which  I 
have  written  out  is  substantially  correct.  Had  I  gone 
more  into  details,  I  should  have  given  greater  promi 
nence  to  the  part  which  Colonel  Phillips'  brigade  took 
in  the  engagement.  I  should  like  to  see  not  only  Fort 
Scott,  but  every  town  in  Kansas  through  which  Colo 
nel  Phillips  passes,  give  him  a  warm  welcome.  ~No 
citizen  of  this  State  has  so  honorably  earned  the  grati- 


ON  THE   BOKDER-1863.  371 

tucle  of  his  fellow-citizens  as  he  has,  for  in  his  various 
contests  with  the  enemy  during  the  last  six  months,  he 
has  saved  this  State  from  invasion,  and  the  homes  of 
our  citizens  from  desolation.  The  small  politicians 
may  receive  ovations  in  the  same  places  where  he 
passes  unnoticed,  but  the  small  politician  will  long- 
have  been  forgotten,  when  he  will  live  in  the  memorv 
of  our  people  as  one  of  the  real  heroes  of  the  Great 
Rebellion.  This  war,  in  which  the  great  principle  of 
human  freedom  is  involved,  marks  an  epoch  in  history 
that  will  live  long  after  the  history  of  wars  waged  for 
political  power  will  have  dwindled  into  nothingness. 
There  are  many  now  living,  who  will,  in  less  than 
twenty  years  from  this,  doubtless  regret  that  they  did 
not  take  a  hand  in  this  great  struggle  for  justice  and 
right. 

The  large  commissary  train  is  now  nearly  ready  to 
start  for  Fort  Blunt.  It  is  encamped  on  Dry  "Wood 
Creek,  twelve  miles  south  of  here.  The  escort  will  be 
under  command  of  Colonel  Thomas  Bowen,  of  the 
13th  Kansas  infantry,  and  will,  perhaps,  be  in  readi 
ness  to  march  by  August  2d.  It  is  not  known  yet 
whether  the  enemy  will  make  another  effort  to  capture 
it  or  not.  The  latest  information  from  Fort  Gibson 
indicates  that  General  Cooper  has  been  reinforced  bv 
General  Steele,  from  Texas,  with  three  or  four  thou 
sand  men  and  some  artillery.  Unless  General  Blunt 
receives  reinforcements  soon,  the  enemy  may  assume 
the  offensive  and  attack  him,  or  send  a  force  north  of 
him  to  attack  the  train.  It  is  likely,  however,  that 


372  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

the  escort  will  be  strengthened  by  troops  from  Fort 
Blunt  by  the  time  it  reaches  the  Neosho  River. 

The  Fourteenth  Kansas  cavalry  is  being  recruited 
very  rapidly,  and  in  a  few  weeks  will  be  ready  to  elect 
field  officers.  Major  Blair,  commanding  this  post,  will 
probably  be  made  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  regiment. 
Two  or  three  companies  raised  in  Southern  Kansas 
for  this  regiment  have  already  been  doing  escort  duty 
for  several  weeks.  The  Government  is  now  ottering 
three  times  as  much  bounty  for  each  enlistment  as  it 
was  under  the  first  and  second  calls  of  the  President 
for  volunteers  two  years  ago.  Some  time  in  the 
future  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  there  will  be  a  de 
mand  made  for  equalization  of  bounties.  Those  who 
enlisted  early  in  the  war,  should  surely  fare  as  well  as 
those  who  enlisted  several  years  later.  Several  of  the 
States  that  have  not  yet  filled  their  quotas  of  troops 
under  the  several  calls  of  the  President,  are  offering 
larger  bounties  for  enlistments  than  the  Government 
allows.  Kansas  at  present  is  unable  to  offer  any  State 
bounty.  In  the  east  there  are  men  known  as  "  bounty 
jumpers."  They  enlist  into  the  service,  receive  the 
Government  and  State  bounties,  and  then  desert  and 
go  to  some  other  place  and  enlist  again  under  another 
name.  From  accounts  that  I  have  seen,  it  seems  that 
there  are  men  who  have  made  quite  large  sums  of 
money  by  such  dishonorable  transactions.  I  regret 
that  my  duty  as  a  conscientious  observer  of  the  actions 
of  men  in  connection  with  the  war,  compels  me  to  re 
mark,  that  even  here  there  are  manv  whose  chief  in- 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  373 

terest  in  the  Government  is  to  get  fat  jobs  out  of  it, 
and  to  fleece  the  soldiers  of  their  hard  earnings  by 
charging  them  and  their  families  exorbitant  prices  for 
everything  they  get.  Their  loyalty  is  not  of  that  kind 
that  leads  men  to  brave  the  dangers  and  hardships  of 
the  field  and  the  camp.  The  less  loyalty  we  have  of 
this  kind  the  better  off  we  shall  be. 

Information  has  just  reached  here  from  Kansas 
City  that  the  Government  sent  out  from  that 
place,  on  the  2nd  instant,  a  large  train  for  new  Mexi 
co;  and  as  it  was  thought  that  Quantrell,  with  his 
guerrilla  force,  would  attack  it  about  the  time  it  would 
cross  over  into  Kansas,  Captain  Harvey,  of  the  Sixth 
Kansas  cavalry,  with  a  detachment  of  forty  men,  was 
ordered  in  the  direction  from  which  it  was  believed  that 
the  enemy  would  approach  the  train.  He  had  not  march 
ed  many  miles,  however,  when  he  came  in  contact  with 
Captain  Coleman  of  the  Ninth  Kansas  cavalry,  and  a 
lively  fight  ensued  before  the  mistake  was  discovered. 
As  Captain  Coleman  had  a  much  larger  force  than  Cap 
tain  Harvey,  the  latter  retreated,  and  perhaps  got  the 
worst  of  the  affair.  He  had  several  men  wounded,  and 
was  himself  run  over  and  trampled  under  the  horses' 
feet  and  seriously  injured.  As  Quantrell's  men  don  the 
Federal  uniform  whenever  it  suits  their  purpose,  our 
troops  in  Jackson  and  Cass  counties,  Missouri,  do  not 
always  know  when  they  are  meeting  the  enemy  until 
he  lias  delivered  his  fire.  With  all  the  activity  that 
our  troops  have  displayed  in  those  counties  during  the 
last  six  months,  the  guerrillas  there  are  still  as  trouble- 


374  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

some  as  at  any  time  since  the  commencement  of  the 
war.  Though  the  country  through  which  they  range 
and  carry  on  their  predatory  war  is  not  mountainous, 
a  portion  of  it  is  so  thickly  wooded  that  it  is  easy  for 
them  to  find  retreats  miles  from  any  human  habita 
tion.  When  they  make  a  successful  raid  on  a  small 
body  of  our  troops,  or  a  train,  or  a  town,  and  capture 
certain  supplies  that  they  require,  it  is  stated  that  such 
supplies  are  conveyed  to  their  retreats  and  kept  for 
future  use.  Our  troops  have  on  several  occasions 
found  out  their  retreats,  and  captured  or  destroyed  the 
property  which  they  had  stored. 

Two  bushwhackers  were  killed  on  the  7th  by  our 
troops  near  Balltown,  twenty-two  miles  east  of  this 
post,  in  Yernon  county,  Missouri.  They  are  believed 
to  have  been  in  the  party  that  killed  Whitesides,  the 
enlisted  scout,  a  few  weeks  ago,  only  a  few  miles  east 
of  Fort  Scott,  near  the  State  line.  One  of  the  bush 
whackers  had  a  pass  through  the  Federal  lines  in  his 
pocket.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the  enemy  keep  ahead 
of  us  in  the  killing  business;  and  if  they  do  not,  we 
can  stand  it  longest.  Even  without  the  aid  of  the 
colored  soldiers,  the  northern  and  middle  States  can 
furnish  many  more  able-bodied  men  than  the  rebel 
lious  states.  One  would  have  thought  that  the  leaders 
of  the  rebellion  would  have  carefully  consulted  the  cen 
sus  returns,  and  studied  the  resources  of  the  North, 
before  plunging  the  country  into  a  war  in  which  they 
could  not  reasonably  hope  to  be  successful,  unless  they 
went  into  it  on  the  hypothesis  that  one  southern  man 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  375 

could  whip  five  "Yankees,"  as  I  heard  a  man  say  in 
Texas,  about  the  time  of  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 
By  reason  of  their  own  narrowness,  the  southern  peo 
ple  have  not  allowed  themselves  to  become  acquainted 
with  the  strength  and  resources  of  the  North.  A  news 
paper  like  the  New  York  Tribune,  that  discusses  the 
affairs  of  the  whole  country  freely,  was  not  allowed  to 
circulate  in  the  South  before  the  war.  To  have  it  found 
upon  his  person  in  some  of  the  Southern  States  was 
almost  worth  a  man's  life.  They  could  tolerate  almost 
any  of  the  shortcomings  to  which  human  nature  is 
prone,  but  to  say  that  "  Slavery  is  wrong  "  was  an  un 
pardonable  offense.  No  criminal  was  so  damnable  in 
their  eyes  as  an  abolitionist. 

Dispatches  from  the  East  of  recent  date  show  that 
the  rebel  leaders  are  bewailing  their  misfortunes  pit- 
eously  in  their  appeals  to  their  followers.  They  are 
beginning  to  feel  the  weight  of  the  strong  arm  of  the 
Government,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  nothing  but  blind 
stupidity  could  induce  them  to  continue  a  struggle  that 
is  utterly  hopeless,  unless  they  wish  to  make  a  show 
of  dying  in  the  last  ditch.  It  is  now  more  difficult 
for  the  so-called  Confederate  Government  to  raise 
additional  troops  than  it  is  for  the  United  States. 
They  commenced  conscripting  before  we  commenced 
drafting;  and  I  think  that  the  rebel  armies  east  and 
west  have  lost  a  great  many  more  men  by  desertions 
than  our  armies  have. 

It  is  now  generally  thought  that  Kansas  will  not  be 
obliged  to  draft  any  men,  under  any  former  calls  of 


376  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

the  President,  as  she  has  already  furnished  very  nearly 
her  quota.  Her  citizens  have  responded  to  the  several 
calls  of  President  Lincoln  with  a  patriotic  promptness 
that  challenges  the  admiration  of  the  country.  But 
to  fill  her  quota  under  the  present  call  for  four  hun 
dred  and  fifty  thousand  men,  may  possibly  require  the 
enforcement  of  the  draft  before  many  months  shall 
have  elapsed.  Nearly  all  the  young  men  full  of  patri 
otic  pride,  and  who  were  willing  to  risk  their  lives  for 
the  Government,  have,  already  enlisted.  There  are 
many  that  will  be  subject  to  the  draft  who  have  a 
great  dread  of  being  made  targets  for  rebel  bullets. 
It  is  said  that  they  shudder,  and  that  their  teeth  almost 
chatter  when  they  read  of  the  great  battles  in  which 
the  men  fall  in  heaps  upon  each  other,  and  have  their 
limbs  torn  from  their  bodies  by  shot  and  bursting 
shells.  To  those  of  timid  natures,  and  who  almost 
faint  at  the  sight  of  human  blood,  it  is  not  likely  the 
battle  field,  with  the  wounded  and  dying,  is  a  very  fas 
cinating  picture.  At  any  rate  they  have  a  horror  of 
contemplating  themselves  as  going  to  make  up  such  a 
picture. 

The  10th  of  August  is  the  second  anniversary  of  my 
enlistment.  Many  comrades  whose  faces  were  familiar 
at  the  morning  roll  call,  on  drill  and  on  the  march, 
have  dropped  out  of  the  ranks  and  lie  buried  upon 
distant  fields.  The  forms  and  features  of  fallen  com 
rades,  when  my  thoughts  turn  back  upon  the  past  two 
years,  rise  up  before  me  and  arouse  feelings  of 
real  sadness.  But  ere  our  work  shall  have  been 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  377 

accomplished,  our  ranks    will    doubtless   be   thinned 
still  more  by  death. 

Fort  Scott  has  recently  been  made  the  Headquarters 
District  of  the  Frontier,  commanded  by  General  Blunt. 
Captain  J.  G.  Haskell,  his  Chief  Quartermaster,  and 
Major  H.  Z.  Curtis,  his  Assistant  Adjutant-General, 
will  remain  here  for  the  present.  Since  August,  1861, 
this  has  been  the  principal  place  on  the  border  for 
organizing  and  equipping  our  troops  for  the  field. 
Though  only  four  miles  west  of  the  State  line,  it  has 
not  yet  been  captured  by  the  enemy.  They  have,  how 
ever,  at  different  times,  captured  and  killed  our  pickets, 
and  made  several  raids  on  the  Government  stock  graz 
ing  on  the  prairie  near  town.  The  place  has  increased 
in  importance,  as  a  business  center,  since  it  has  been 
made  a  regular  depot  of  supplies.  The  merchants 
have  a  trade  extending  to  a  distance  of  sixty  to  seven 
ty-five  miles  around,  besides  a  large  trade  in  outfitting 
sutlers  who  accompany  the  army.  It  is  not  likely  that 
the  town  will  diminish  in  importance  even  after  the 
war,  for  it  is  located  in  a  rich  agricultural  region? 
besides  the  rich  deposits  of  bituminous  coal  in  this 
vicinity  will  probably  be  extensively  worked  in  a  few 
years,  which  will  cause  capital  and  immigration  to  flow 
into  this  section.  The  prairies  around  us,  now  clothed 
with  tons  of  wild  grass  per  acre,  will  teem  with  fields 
of  golden  grain.  But  hundreds  of  tons  ot  this  wild 
grass  can  now  be  used  to  good  purpose  by  the  Gov 
ernment  as  forage  for  its  animals.  Captain  M.  H. 
Insley,  the  Depot  Quartermaster,  has  commenced  lett- 


378  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

ing  contracts  for  forage  and  fuel,  and  in  a  few  months 
we  shall  see  long  hay  ricks  rising  on  the  Government 
lots,  and  great  quantities  of  corn  and  oats  filling  the 
Government  cribs,  and  the  estimated  number  of  cords 
of  wood  and  tons  of  coal  stored  in  their  proper  places. 
Farmers  and  teamsters  will  have  no  trouble  in  finding 
active  employment  from  this  time  until  late  in  the 
season.  Everybody  has  an  opportunity  of  making 
money  but  the  soldier.  The  farmer  gets  a  good  price 
for  everything  that  he  raises;  and  the  mechanic  good 
wages  for  his  labor.  A  civilian  who  can  barely  make 
a  living  now  would  probably  be  in  poverty  in  ordinary 
times.  When  the  war  closes  those  who  have  remained 
at  home  will  have  had  opportunities  to  become  almost 
rich,  while  the  soldiers  will  have  grown  poor.  It  will 
require  unusual  energy  and  economy  for  the  ex-soldier 
to  ever  get  even  with  his  civilian  neighbor  in  regard 
to  social  standing  and  ease.  And  no  one  ever  esti 
mates  the  sacrifice  the  volunteer  soldier  makes  when 
he  offers  his  services  to  his  Government. 

There  has  been  quite  an  excitement  among  the  col 
ored  men  about  town  for  several  days  in  regard  to 
drafting  them.  The  farce  of  drafting  a  considerable 
number  was  gone  through  with,  but  as  the  officers  had 
no  legal  authority  to  draft  them,  they  have  been  releas 
ed  and  returned  to  their  business,  or  enlisted  volun 
tarily.  Enlistments  for  the  Second  Kansas  colored 
regiment  have  been  going  on  at  a  lively  rate  for  sev 
eral  days;  and  it  is  quite  likely  that  the  recruiting 
officers  have  endeavored  to  impress  the  able-bodied 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  379 

colored  men  with  the  idea  that  they  may  be  drafted 
shortly,  and  that  it  will  be  better  for  them  to  enlist 
now  and  secure  the  generous  bounty  offered  by  the 
Government.  Indeed  it  has  been  suggested  that  the 
recruiting  officer  got  up  the  excitement  for  the  pur 
pose  of  increasing  the  number  of  enlistments  per 
diem.  There  is  a  strong  incentive  to  resort  to  such  a 
trick,  for  the  sooner  the  officers  get  their  company 
organizations  complete,  the  sooner  they  will  get  mus 
tered  into  the  service.  I  think,  however,  that  a  straight 
forward  course  is  best  in  such  matters,  then  there  can 
be  no  excuse  for  complaint  on  the  part  of  the  soldier 
after  enlistment.  Our  enthusiasm  for  a  good  cause 
should  never  make  us  dishonest  towards  those  whom 
we  wish  to  act  with  us.  I  see  no  objection,  however, 
to  the  recruiting  officers  making  pretty  little  speeches 
to  those  whom  they  wish  to  become  candidates  for 
enlistment,  by  appealing  to  their  sense  of  patriotism, 
and  by  telling  them  "  what  a  grand  and  heroic  thing  it 
is  to  die  for  one's  country."  There  are  a  good  many  men 
whose  patriotism  is  quite  latent,  and  who  need  some 
stimulant  to  arouse  them  from  their  state  of  indiffer 
ence.  They  do  not  always  see  the  connection  between 
the  peace  and  happiness  of  their  quiet  homes  and  the 
stability  of  a  Government  founded  on  just  laws.  It 
therefore  becomes  proper  to  point  out  to  them,  in  as 
forcible  language  as  possible,  that  there  come  times  in 
the  history  of  Governments  when  they  find  it  neces 
sary  to  call  on  their  citizens  to  assist  in  enforcing  the 
laws,  and  in  defending  the  life  of  the  nation  against 


380  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

foreign  or  domestic  foes.  Pictures  might  be  drawn 
bringing  vividly  before  their  minds  the  fact  that,  were 
it  not  for  the  strong  arm  of  the  Government,  their 
families  might  very  shortly  be  weeping  over  their 
slaughtered  bodies  in  the  midst  of  the  ruins  of  their 
desolated  homes.  The  fife  and  drum  corps  often  per 
forms  excellent  service  in  stirring  up  the  martial  pride 
of  those  just  in  from  the  country.  Every  soldier  who 
enlisted  early  in  the  war  will  remember  the  stirring 
-air  of  "The  Girl  I  left  behind  me." 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A  Post  established  at  Baxter  Springs,  with  a  Detachment  of  Cav 
alry — Bombardment  of  Charleston  and  probable  fall  of  Forts 
Sumter  and  Wagner — Guerrillas  along  the  Border  display 
ing  unusual  Activity — Large  quantities  of  Hay  being  put  up 
for  the  Government  at  Fort  Scott — Burning  and  Sacking  of 
Lawrence  by  Quantrell — Murder  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  of 
her  Citizens — Escape  of  the  Desperadoes  into  Missouri — Fed 
eral  troops  in  pursuit — The  Guerillas  break  up  into  small  De 
tachments—Kansas  needs  a  State  Militia — Looking  around 
for  some  one  to  blame — General  Ewing  and  Schofield  De 
nounced — Some  favor  the  wild  notion  of  a  Grand  Army  of 
Invasion,  to  destroy  everything  in  Missouri  for  a  distance  of 
forty  miles  from  Kansas — Folly  of  the  Scheme — Generals 
Cooper  and  Cabell  threatening  General  Blunt — Paola  Mass 
Meeting— Plan  of  removal  of  Rebel  Families  considered. 

A  detachment  of  the  Third  Wisconsin  cavalry  was 
ordered  by  Colonel  Blair  to  Baxter  Springs,  on  the 
morning  of  the  17th,  for  the  purpose  of  occupying 
that  place  as  a  regular  station.  Several  months  ago, 
in  looking  over  the  route  of  our  trains  from  Fort  Scott 
to  Gibson,  I  remarked,  that  there  was  great  need  of 
a  detachment  of  cavalry  at '  Baxter.  There  is  no 
point  between  this  place  and  Gibson,  where  a  small 
force  of  cavalry  can  be  stationed  to  better  advantage. 
And  had  not  all  his  cavalry  that  could  be  spared  been 


382  MEMOIRS  OP  THE   REBELLION 

employed  on  escort  duty,  Colonel  Blair  would  have 
ordered  several  companies  there  months  ago.  Some 
sort  of  fortifications  have  already  been  constructed, 
and  one  or  two  companies  of  colored  infantry  and  a 
piece  of  light  artillery  are  stationed  there  to  defend 
the  place.  With  this  detachment  of  cavalry  also  sta 
tioned  there,  to  scout  the  surrounding  country,  guer 
rilla  depredations  should  shortly  almost  cease.  At  any 
rate  the  guerrillas  in  that  section  can  be  watched  more 
closely,  and  perhaps  prevented  from  concentrating  in 
sufficient  force  to  attack  our  trains. 

Reports  from  the  East  state  that  General  Gilmore's 
forces,  besieging  Charleston;  are  gradually  battering 
down  the  enemy's  works.  From  accounts,  the  bom 
bardment  of  the  city  and  of  Forts  Sumter  and  Wag 
ner,  recently,  must  have  been  terrific.  It  is  thought 
that  Sumter  will  certainly  fall  in  a  few  days,  as  great 
breaches  have  already  been  made  in  some  portions  of 
the  defences.  Our  siege-gun  batteries  keep  pouring 
in  such  a  steady  stream  of  shot  and  shell,  that  the  en- 
emy  do  not  get  time  to  repair  the  openings.  The  fall 
of  Charleston  will  be  a  great  humiliation  to  the  rebels, 
since  it  was  at  that  place  they  seized  the  first  Govern 
ment  property,  and  made  the  first  attack  upon  the 
United  States  troops.  They  are  not  having  such  a 
jolly  time  as  when  they  were  besieging  Major  Ander 
son's  little  command,  in  April,  1861.  They  will,  un 
questionably,  be  in  a  bad  way  when  the  hot-bed  in  which 
their  secession  ideas  have  been  nurtured  since  the 
days  of  Calhoun,  shall  have  been  captured  by  our  forces. 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  383 

Information  recieved  here  from  several  points  along 
the  border  towards  Kansas  City,  indicates  that  the 
guerrilla  bands  in  the  counties  of  Jackson,  Cass  and 
Johnson,  are  displaying  unusual  activity.  It  is  just  a 
year  ago  since  they  concentrated  in  Jackson  County, 
.and  attacked  Lone  Jack,  and  captured  two  pieces  of  ar 
tillery  from  our  troops.  This  present  great  activity 
portends  some  mischief.  It  is  not  thought  now  that 
they  can  get  together  more  than  three  or  four  hun 
dred  men  in  that  section.  But  considering  that  every 
man  is  almost  loaded  down  with  repeating  rifles  and 
revolvers,  this  force  is  equal  to  about  a  thousand  of  our 
best  troops.  Our  officers  operating  along  the  border 
know  approximately  the  number  of  men  each  guer 
rilla  chieftain  can  muster.  With  that  number  of  men 
they  are  not  likely  to  attack  any  of  our  stations  along 
the  border,  for  they  have  never  to  my  knowledge  at 
tacked  a  superior  force  of  our  troops.  They  have,  how 
ever,  fought  like  tigers  to  get  out  of  a  tight  place. 
For  fifty  miles  south  of  Kansas  City,  we  have,  I 
should  think,  not  less  than  fifteen  hundred  troops. 
They  know,  or  should  know,  the  character  of  the  en 
emy  with  whom  they  have  to  deal.  And  of  course 
they  understand  perfectly  that  they  cannot  with  safety 
relax  their  vigilance  for  a  single  day.  QuantrelPs 
band  is  known  to  be  composed  of  the  worst  men  in 
the  country,  and  would  no  doubt  like  an  opportunity 
to  cross  the  line  and  invade  Kansas.  The  people  of 
this  State  know  that  they  have  repeatedly  threatened 
to  make  a  raid  into  it,  to  recapture  the  stook,  etc.? 


384  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

alleged  to  have  been  taken  from  Missouri  by  our 
troops.  From  what  we  know  of  his  men,  we  have 
reason  to  believe  that  they  will  not  only  commit  such 
depredations  as  robbery  and  plunder,  but  that  their 
trail  will  be  stained  by  the  blood  of  our  citizens,  and 
the  torch  they  may  also  apply  almost  indiscriminately. 
But  they  are  closely  looked  after  by  the  troops  under 
General  Thomas  Ewing,  commanding  District  of  the 
Border. 

Nothing  further  has  been  heard  of  the  gathering  of 
the  guerrilla  bands  under  Quantrell  north  of  us,  and 
everything  has  been  unusually  quiet  at  this  post,  and 
in  this  section  for  several  days.  Our  scouting  parties 
into  Missouri  return  without  having  heard  anything 
of  the  guerrillas,  who  have  for  the  last  year  infested 
Yernon  and  Barton  Counties.  Indeed  for  several  days 
past,  each  day  is  a  repetition  of  the  day  before.  The 
sentinels  guarding  public  property  at  different  points, 
walk  leisurely  to  and  fro  upon  their  beats,  with  their 
bright  muskets  on  their  shoulders,  as  in  times  of  pro 
found  peace.  Captain  M.  H.  Insley,  the  Depot  Quar 
termaster,  is  beginning  to  receive  the  new  hay  re 
cently  contracted  for,  and  a  number  of  large  ricks  have 
commenced  going  up.  The  dust  has  been  flying  all 
day,  on  all  the  roads  leading  into  town,  caused  by  the 
numerous  civilian  teams  hauling  hay  and  coal,  for  de 
livery  on  contract.  While  the  work  of  laying  in  the 
winter  supply  of  fuel  and  forage  is  going  on,  there  is 
also  great  activity  at  all  the  Commissary, Quartermas 
ter  and  Ordinance  store  houses.  Trains  from  Fort 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  385 

Lcavenwortli  are  unloading  at  one  place,  and  trains  for 
Fort  Gibson  are  loading  at  another  place.  The  depot 
and  staff  quartermasters,  commissiaries  and  ordinance 
officers,  are  kept  busy  in  supplying  the  troops  in  the 
Indian  country  with  stores  furnished  by  their  respec 
tive  departments.  Considering  the  amount  of  Gov 
ernment  property  stored  at  this  post,  some  of  our  offi 
cers  feel  apprehensions  for  its  safety,  for  if  the  enemy 
should  capture  or  kill  our  pickets,  and  make  a  dash 
upon  the  place  in  the  night,  we  are  not  sure  that  Co 
lonel  Blair  has  a  sufficient  number  of  troops  at  his 
disposal  to  successfully  defend  the  town,  or  public  pro 
perty.  He  is  vigilant,  however,  and  may  not  permit 
the  enemy  to  approach  very  near  unobserved. 

Information  reached  this  post,  on  the  evening  of  the 
22d,  that  the  city  of  Lawrence  in  this  State  was  sack 
ed,  burned  and  nearly  two  hundred  of  her  citizens 
killed,  by  about  three  hundred  men  under  Quantrell, 
at  day-break  on  the  morning  of  the  21st  instant.  It 
seems  that  Quantrell  crossed  the  State  line  on  Thurs 
day  evening,  20th  instant,  with  his  force,  and  marched 
all  night,  and  reached  Lawrence  Friday  morning  at 
four  o'clock,  and  immediately  commenced  their  fiend 
ish  work  of  robbing,  burning  property,  and  shooting- 
down  the  male  citizens  who  were  unarmed  and  de 
fenseless.  A  gentleman  who  escaped  from  the  scene 
of  the  slaughter  and  desolation,  described  to  me  this 
evening,  quite  vividly,  what  he  saw,  and  I  have  obtain 
ed  particulars  from  other  sources,  all  tending  to  show 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  exaggerate  the  fiendish- 
25 


'386  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

ness  of  the  ruffians.  The  ruffians,  when  they  approach 
ed  the  city,  threw  a  guard  around  it  to  prevent  any  of 
the  men  from  escaping.  They  then  marched  into  the 
principal  part  of  the  city  and  commenced  their  work. 
.Everything  in  the  way  of  money  and  jewelry  was  tak- 
«en,  the  houses  set  on  fire,  and  the  men  shot  down  in 
the  presence  of  their  families.  Many  instances  are 
reported,  in  which  men  were  shot  down  while  their 
wives,  daughters  and  mothers  were  clinging  to  them, 
and  begging  that  they  might  be  spared.  But  the  en 
treaties  of  the  women,  that  the  lives  of  those  so  dear 
to  them  might  be  spared,  had  no  effect  on  the  harden 
ed  hearts  of  the  monsters  in  human  form.  If 
there  were  no  women  to  remove  the  lifeless  bodies  of 
the  men,  they  were  left  to  be  consumed  by  the  devour 
ing  names.  The  loss  of  life  by  this  worse  than  fiendish 
act,  cannot  be  accurately  known  until  the  ruins  of  the 
desolated  city  have  been  carefully  examined.  I  have 
also  heard  that  the  enemy  threw  a  good  many  bodies 
into  wells  and  cisterns.  In  less  than  half  an  hour  after 
the  enemy  entered  the  city,  it  was  in  a  sheet  of  flame. 
All  the  best  portion  of  it  has  been  burned,  and  hun 
dreds  of  families  have  not  only  lost  all  their  male 
members  but  their  houses  and  effects  also.  For  cruel 
ty  and  heartlessness,  I  doubt  whether  this  outrage  has 
a  parallel  in  modern  warfare.  And  were  it  not  al 
ready  committed,  it  would  be  difficult  to  believe  that 
three  hundred  fiends  could  be  got  together  in  this 
country  for  the  purpose  of  committing  it.  They  sur 
prised  and  captured  twenty-five  colored  recruits,  who 


ON  THE   BORDEK-1863.  387 

were  shot  dead  on  the  spot.  A  few  men  escaped 
through  corn  fields  adjacent  to  the  city.  Someone 
carried  the  news  of  the  enemy  being  in  the  city  to 
Senator  Lane,  and  he  escaped  on  horseback.  He  had 
left  but  a  moment  when  they  surrounded  his  house 
with  the  full  confidence  that  they  had  caught  him. 
After  they  had  satiated  themselves  by  robbing,  burn 
ing  and  murdering  for  several  hours,  they  withdrew 
and  marched  towards  Missouri.  They  remounted 
themselves  on  fresh  horses,  obtained  from  the  public 
and  private  stables  in  Lawrence,  and  each  man  led 
back  the  horse  which  he  rode  into  the  city,  or  obtain 
ed  a  better  one  in  its  place.  With  fine  fresh  animals, 
our  best  cavalry  companies  on  the  border,  on  account 
of  the  hard  service  their  horses  have  performed  this 
summer,  could  not  have  kept  up  with  the  enemy 
many  hours.  If  Quantrell  is  hotly  pursued  by  our 
troops,  he  can  leave  his  led  horses  and  the  goods  with 
which  some  of  them  are  known  to  have  been  packed. 
But  as  it  is  only  about  thirty -five  miles  from  Lawrence 
to  the  State  line,  it  was  soon  apparent  that  he  $buldget 
back  into  Missouri  unmolested,  or,  at  any  rate,  with  a 
trifling  loss  of  men  and  property. 

An  interval  of  two  days  brought  additional  particu 
lars.  General  Lane,  a  few  hours  after  his  flight  from 
his  home,  collected  together  about  twenty  men,  and 
followed  and  overtook,  and  skirmished  with  the  rear 
of  the  enemy  about  twelve  miles  from  Lawrence.  He 
also  dispatched  couriers  to  various  points  where  we 
had  troops  stationed,  with  the  view  of  having  them 


388  MEMOIRS  OF  TUP:  REBELLION 

intercept  the  enemy.  Anyway,  our  troops  between 
Kansas  City  and  Paola  got  word  of  the  destruction  of 
Lawrence,  and  the  massacre  of  her  citizens,  and  made 
an  effort  to  intercept  Quantrell  on  his  return.  A  few 
miles  north  of  Paola  our  troops  and  citizens  attacked 
him,  but  as  he  was  not  disposed  to  fight  he  managed  to 
evade  them,  and  get  into  Missouri  with  the  loss  of 
two  or  three  men,  and  some  of  the  animals  that  were 
being  led.  As  it  is  mostly  a  prairie  country  between 
Lawrence  and  the  State  line,  and  as  our  officers  were 
informed,  a  few  hours  after  he  passed  into  Kansas,  of 
the  fact,  I  am  yet  unable  to  understand  why  more 
effective  measures  were  not  taken  to  pursue  him  the 
moment  he  invaded  the  State,  and  to  intercept  him  on 
his  return.  The  section  that  he  passed  over  between 
the  State  line  and  Lawrence  is  rather  thickly  settled, 
and  some  of  the  citizens  on  his  line  of  march  are 
surely  chargeable  with  gross  negligence  in  failing  to 
inform  the  people  of  Lawrence,  and  our  officers,  of  the 
enemy's  movements.  It  is  reported  that  Captain 
Coleman  sent  a  messenger  to  warn  Lawrence  that 
Quantrell  had  passed  into  Kansas,  and  might  be 
moving  in  that  direction.  But  the  messenger  was 
either  intercepted  by  the  enemy,  or  the  enemy  reach 
ed  Lawrence  before  him. 

Our  troops  are  still  continuing  the  pursuit,  but  as 
the  enemy  have  reached  the  heavily  wooded  country 
of  Cass  county,  they  will  probably  break  up  into 
small  bands,  and  return  to  their  isolated  retreats, 
where  it  will  be  difficult  to  find  them.  Colonel 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  389 

Saysear,  of  the  First  Missouri  State  Militia  cavalry, 
commenced  a  vigorous  pursuit  of  Quantrell  soon  after 
he  crossed  into  Missouri,  and  overtook  him  on  Big 
Creek  near  Harrisonville,  and  killed  six  of  his  men. 
Majors  Plumb  and  Thatcher,  of  the  Eleventh  Kansas 
cavalry,  have  also  overtaken  several  detachments  of 
the  enemy,  and  killed  a  number  of  his  men. 

As  QuantrelPs  men  have  so  often  threatened  the 
destruction  of  Lawrence  during  the  last  eighteen 
months,  and  as  the  place  is  second  in  size  and  impor 
tance  in  the  State,  and  the  home  of  Senator  Lane,  it  is 
unaccountable  why  several  companies  of  troops  have 
not  been  stationed  there.  Having  always  been  op 
posed  to  the  border  ruffians,  it  has  since  the  war  been 
an  object  of  especial  hatred  by  them.  If  a  battalion 
from  the  regularly  organized  forces  could  not  have 
been  spared  from  active  service  on  the  border,  then  a 
militia  force  should  have  been  organized  for  the  pro 
tection  of  the  city,  somewhat  on  the  plan  of  the  Mis 
souri  State  troops.  Kansas  needs  a  State  militia  or 
ganization  just  as  much  as  Missouri,  for  our  towns,  as 
distant  from  the  State  line  as  the  second  tier  of  coun 
ties,  are  liable  to  attack  and  destruction  by  detachments 
of  guerrillas  from  Missouri  at  almost  any  time.  It  is 
possible  for  a  small  detachment  of  men  mounted  on 
good  animals  to  penetrate  the  State,  unobserved,  for  a 
distance  of  thirty-five  or  forty  miles,  during  a  single 
night's  march.  Even  if  their  horses  should  get  much 
fatigued,  they  would  have  very  little  trouble  in  getting 
fresh  ones.  There  are  a  great  many  men  who  do  not 


390  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

wish  to  enter  the  volunteer  service,  yet  who  could  be 
easily  induced  to  enter  the  militia  service  of  the  State 
for  their  immediate  protection.  With  a  well  organized 
militia,  there  would  be  no  need  for  any  portion  of  the 
volunteer  forces  to  occupy  a  place  as  distant  from  the 
scene  of  active  operations  as  Lawrence. 

Now  that  Quantrell  has  committed  his  fiendish  act 
and  escaped  deserved  punishment,  our  people,  political 
leaders  particularly,  are  looking  around  for  some  one 
upon  whom  to  cast  the  blame.  A  good  deal  of  excite 
ment  seems  likely  to  grow  out  of  the  barbarous  act  of 
the  enemy,  for  it  is  a  shock  to  not  only  the  people  of 
this  State,  but  to  the  entire  North,  and  to  loyal  hearts 
everywhere.  It  is,  however,  in  perfect  keeping  with 
the  principle  for  which  the  South  is  lighting.  Our 
people  could  never  be  led  to  commit  such  atrocious 
acts,  except  by  way  of  retaliation;  and  even  then,  I 
think  few  men  could  be  found  mean  enough  to  take 
gold  rings  from  the  fingers  of  ladies,  as  Quantrell's 
men  did.  But  there  is  a  phase  of  the  discussion  of  this 
great  crime  that  I  regret  to  hear.  Some  are  loud  in 
their  denunciation  of  Generals  Ewing  and  Schofield, 
and  there  are  others  who  not  only  denounce  these  offi 
cers  for  permitting  the  enemy  to  invade  the  State,  but 
insist  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  citizens  of  Kansas  to 
assemble  at  some  point  and  march  into  Missouri  and 
down  her  border  counties,  and  burn  and  destroy  every 
thing  for  a  distance  of  forty  miles  from  the  State  line, 
regardless  of  the  political  status  of  the  owners  of  pro 
perty.  I  have  heard  some  men  who  were  boiling 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  391 

over  with  indignation,  and  apparently  ready  to  join  the 
Grand  Army  of  Invasion,  declare  that  there  are  no 
loyal  men  in  Missouri,  and  that  the  torch  should  be 
applied,  and  not  a  house  left  standing  within  a  hun 
dred  miles  of  Kansas.  This  remark  was  suggested: 
"  Gentlemen,  if  you  are  really  so  full  of  loyalty  and 
martial  enthusiasm,  why  don't  you  enlist  into  the 
Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  regiments  now  organizing 
and  needing  recruits  ? "  Though  every  loyal  person 
regrets  the  calamity  at  Lawrence,  it  is  no  time  for 
reckless  talk.  Nor  should  men  on  this  side  of  the  line 
think  of  holding  the  Union  people  of  Missouri  re 
sponsible  for  the  acts  of  the  enemy.  It  is  an  absurd 
and  extravagant  notion,  and  savors  more  of  political 
buncomb  than  true  devotion  to  the  Government.  Our 
people  should  remember  that  Missouri  has  sent  to  the 
field,  including  her  State  troops,  nearly  a  hundred 
thousand  loyal  men,  upwards  of  Six  times  the  num 
ber  of  men  this  State  has  furnished  for  the  war.  Union 
people  in  Missouri  are  every  day  being  murdered  and 
robbed  by  guerrillas  and  bushwhackers,  though  the 
State  militia  are  furnishing  all  the  protection  in  their 
power.  Are  the  loyal  people  there  entitled  to  no  sym 
pathy?  As  I  have  already  described  the  scenes  of 
desolated  homes  in  Missouri,  I  will  only  add  the  re 
mark,  that  life,  and  liberty  to  enjoy  it,  is  as  sweet  on 
that  side  of  the  line  as  on  this.  The  Missouri  troops 
now  at  the  front,  and  who  have  participated  in  the 
capture  of  Fort  Donelson  and  Yicksburg,  and  the 
great  battles  in  Tennessee,  have  enough  to  torture  their 


392  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

minds,  in  contemplating  guerrillas  burning  their 
homes  and  leaving  their  families  houseless  and  defence 
less,  without  our  troops  or  people  committing  unjus 
tifiable  acts  to  increase  their  anxiety.  And  moreover, 
those  whose  loyalty  to  the  Government  consists  in  ex 
travagant  expressions,  should  also  remember  that  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  soldiers  of  most  of  the 
Kansas  regiments  were  citizens  of  Missouri  up  to  the 
time  of  their  enlistments.  And  if  reports  be  true, 
and  I  have  endeavored  to  get  at  the  exact  truth,  the 
Missouri  State  troops  have  followed  Quantrell  more 
persistently,  and  killed  more  of  his  men,  than  have 
our  Kansas  troops  that  are  stationed  along  the  border. 
A  man  named  Morgan  was  killed  on  the  28th,  a  few 
miles  east  of  Dry  Wood,  Missouri.  From  such  facts 
as  I  have  been  able  to  obtain,  it  appears  that  this  man 
has  been  in  the  habit,  for  some  time,  of  coming  to 
this  post  and  getting  such  information  in  regard  to  our 
operations,  along  the  border  and  in  the  Indian  coun 
try,  as  he  could  pick  up,  and  of  carrying  it  across  the 
line  to  bushwhackers,  and  thus  keeping  them  perfectly 
advised  of  our  movements.  If  there  are  any  persons 
who  come  here  for  the  purpose  of  getting  information 
t»»  betray  us  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  lose 
their  lives  in  the  operation,  it  will  perhaps  have  a 
wholesome  effect  on  the  minds  of  others  engaged  in 
similar  service.  The  permission  granted  to  people  of 
questionable  loyalty,  to  trade  with  the  merchants  of 
this  place  unrestricted,  has  perhaps  cost  us  the  lives 
of  quite  a  number  of  our  soldiers. 


ON   THE   BORDER— 1863.  393 

Several    special  messengers  with   the  mail  and  de 
spatches,   who  arrived   on  the   morning  of  the   30th, 
from  Fort  Gibson,  report  that  the  enemy,  under  Gen 
erals  Cooper  and  Cabell,  are  no  longer  assuming  such 
a  threatening  attitude  as  they  were  a  few  weeks  ago. 
They  have  fallen  back  from  their  old  position  on  the 
south  bank  of  the  Arkansas  Kiver,  near  Fort  Gibson, 
to  the  north  fork  of  Canadian  Kiver,  about  fifty  miles 
further  south.  General  Cabell  has  gone  to  Fort  Smith 
with  his  division,  as  we  have   a  column  of  troops  un 
der  General  John  McNeil,   ready  to  march  down  the 
line  via  Fayetteville  to  Yan  Buren.     It  is  thought  that 
General  Blunt  will  be  ready  to  move   forward  and  at 
tack   General  Cooper  in   a  few  days.     After   beating 
General  Cooper  he  intends  to    swing  to  the   left,  and 
attack  Fort  Smith,  and  take  it  by  storm  if  the  enemy 
defends  it.     Our   troops  are  getting  full   rations,  and 
are  well  supplied  with  ammunition.     The  cholera  and 
small-pox    have  almost  disappeared,  and  the    soldiers 
are  in  good  spirits,  and  ready  to  open  a  vigorous  fall 
campaign  against   the  enemy.     General    Cooper  has 
been  beaten   so  often  the  last  year,  I   doubt   whether 
he  can  keep  his  troops  together  to  make  a  hard  fight. 
A  mass  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Kansas  is  to  take 
place  at  Paola  in  a  few  days,  for  the  purpose  of  con 
sidering  the  plan  and  setting  the  day  when  they  shall 
invade  Missouri  en  masse,  and  march  down  the  border 
with  fire  and  sword,  and  thunder  and  lightning,  and 
make  it  impossible  for  bushwhackers  to  invade  this 
State  again.     If  the  citizens  of  the  State  nearly  all 


394  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

turn  out,  and  their  martial  ardor  keeps  up  at  a  white 
heat,  I  think  that  the  recruiting  officers  of  the  Four 
teenth  and  Fifteenth  regiments  should  be  on  the 
ground.  They  should  be  able  ip  get  recruits  enough 
to  till  their  respective  regiments  in  a  single  day.  But 
the  noisiest  are  not  always  most  eager  to  make  per 
sonal  sacrifices  for  the  cause  which  they  pretend  to 
champion.  Stirring  speeches  are  to  be  made  by  Gen 
eral  James  H.  Lane,  United  States  Senator  from  this 
State,  Colonel  C.  R.  Jennison,  and  a  number  of 
other  orators.  As  an  unprejudiced  observer  of  cur 
rent  events,  I  must  express  my  belief  that  the  politi 
cians  of  Kansas  are  inclined  to  make  political  capital 
out  of  the  Lawrence  calamity,  which  I  do  not  think  is 
at  all  creditable  to  them.  If  the  citizens  of  the  State, 
when  they  assemble  at  Paola,  would  express  their  hor 
ror,  in  a  suitable  manner,  of  the  enormity  of  the 
crime  committed  by  the  enemy  at  Lawrence,  so  that 
the  civilized  world  might  see  the  barbarous  method  of 
warfare  the  Confederacy  is  fostering,  and  then  adjourn 
sine  die,  I  think  that  they  will  have  acted  more  sensi 
bly  than  if  they  issue  flaming  manifestoes  of  devasta 
tion  of  the  country  of  our  neighbors  across  the  line. 
A  rebel  force  of  about  one  hundred  men  passed 
Balltown  on  the  morning  of  September  1st,  moving 
south.  The  men  are  believed  to  be  a  portion  of  Quan- 
trell's  command  who  participated  in  the  Lawrence 
massacre.  If  they  can  find  any  other  unguarded 
point,  or  a  small  detachment  of  our  troops,  we  may 
expect  to  hear  from  them  again  shortly.  They  will 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  395 

not  likely  have  any  opposition  to  their  movements 
down  the  border  unless  they  come  in  contact  with  the 
Missouri  militia  stationed  at  Neosho,  or  some  detach 
ment  of  our  troops  on  a  scout.  In  fact,  if  they  keep 
near  the  State  line,  the  country  is  open  to  the  Arkan 
sas  Eiver.  The  State  militia  have  not  made  regular 
stations  at  Carthage  and  Lamar,  for  the  reason  that 
those  towns  have  been  destroyed,  and  the  country 
around  them  desolated,  leaving  scarcely  anything  in 
that  region  to  protect.  This  devastated  territory  the 
enenr/can  inarch  over  and  occupy  for  weeks  without 
our  knowing  it,  if  they  are  not  aggressive;  and  then, 
at  their  leisure,  can  make  raids  into  Kansas,  or  into 
the  counties  east  of  the  border  counties  of  Missouri. 
In  the  interior  of  Missouri  such  raids  are  impossible, 
or  at  any  rate,  quite  rare,  for  the  reason  that  no  con 
siderable  body  of  guerrillas  can  collect  together,  or 
come  into  a  neighborhood  without  the  Union  families. 

knowing  it. 

Since  QuantrelPs  raid  on  Lawrence,  and  the  agita 
tions  of  irregular  organizations  from  this  State  going 
into  Missouri  for  the  purpose  of  burning  and  destroy 
ing  everything,  a  good  many  rebel  families  who  have 
been  living  in  the  border  counties  of  Missouri,  have 
commenced  moving  south.  In  those  sections  infested 
with  guerrillas,  I  think  that  the  rebel  families  who 
give  them  aid  and  comfort  should  be  sent  south  of 
our  lines.  Such  action  would  probably  do  more  to 
stop  bushwhacking  and  the  guerrilla  warfare,  than 
burning  or  destroying  the  property  of  rebel  familiesr 


396  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

and  leaving  them  in  the  country.  Let  rebel  families 
understand  that  they  can  remain  on  their  homesteads, 
provided  no  guerrillas  infest  the  section,  and  I  believe 
that  they  would  generally  discourage  guerrilla  war 
fare.  A  regular  invasion  by  the  organized  forces  of 
the  Confederacy  I  would  not  consider  as  sufficient 
grounds  for  their  removal.  By  removing  them  south 
the  rebel  authorities  would  be  obliged  to  provide  for 
them,  and  the  inducement  for  husbands  and  male  re 
lations  to  return  to  the  State  would  no  longer  exist. 
As  soon  as  our  troops  occupied  Missouri,  an  order  of 
this  kind  should,  in  my  judgment,  have  been  pub 
lished  by  the  commanding  General.  Then,  if  the 
enemy  persisted  in  their  illegitimate  warfare,  we  could 
stand  it  as  well  as  they.  If  the  officers  and  soldiers 
operating  with  the  regular  forces  of  the  Confederacy, 
wish  their  families  to  remain  at  their  homes  in  Mis 
souri  until  the  present  contest  shall  have  been  deci 
ded,  let  them  prevail  on  the  rebel  authorities  to  stop 
the  guerrilla  warfare  in  those  States  occupied  by  our 
troops.  We  are  able  to  stop  it  quite  effectually,  and 
without  resorting  to  any  barbarous  methods.  The 
question  arises,  shall  we  do  it  ?  I  think  that  we 
should,  for  it  is  no  time  for  sentimental  considerations 
to  turn  us  aside  from  our  duty.  Union  families 
within  the  rebel  lines  would  perhaps  regard  them 
selves  fortunate  if  they  could  be  sent  within  onr  lines 
if  they  could  take  with  them  their  personal  effects. 
To  compel  the  removal  of  thousands  of  families  would 
no  doubt  entail  great  hardships  on  many  of  them. 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  39T 

But  such  hardships  would  be  borne  by  them  to  save 
our  people  from  the  cruelties  of  their  relatives  and 
friends,  whom  they  have  been  in  the  habit  of  harboring 
and  encouraging. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

General  Schofield  coldly  received  by  the  people  of  Leavenworth 
City — Colonels  Jennison  and  Hoyt  speak  in  Fort  Scott — The 
crowd  sing  "John  Brown's  body  lies  mouldering  in  the 
grave,"  &c. — More  of  General  Lane's  Grand  Army  of  Invasion 
—Few  trophies  to  bring  back— General  Schofield  issues  an 
order  against  invasion — The  Missouri  State  troops  would 
resist  it— Battle  of  Perryville  and  defeat  of  General  Cooper- 
General  Blunt  captures  Fort  Smith — Generals  Steele  and  Da 
vidson  capture  Little  Rock — Colonel  Blair  sends  out  a  recon- 
noissance — A  new  department  wanted — General  Gillmore 
captures  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg  in  Charlestown  Harbor — 
Sympathizers  of  the  rebellion  receive  anonymous  notices  to 
leave  the  city — Supposed  to  be  the  action  of  the  Union  League 
— Arrival  of  General  Blunt  and  Staff  and  Colonel  Judson — 
The  Bourbon  County  Fair — Activity  of  the  enemy  along  the 
border  again. 

GENERAL  SCHOFIELD,  the  commanding  General  of 
this  department,  visited  Leavenworth  City  a  few  days 
ago,  and  was  coldly  received  by  the  citizens.  At  a 
recent  mass  meeting  held  there  to  take  action  in  regard 
to  the  Lawrence  massacre,  resolutions  denouncing  him 
as  a  sympathizer  with  the  enemy,  and  demanding  his 
removal,  were  adopted.  Throughout  the  State  the  feel 
ing  against  him  is  quite  bitter,  for  nearly  every  one 
holds  that  he  is  exceedingly  stupid  or  careless  of  his 


ON  THE    BORDER--1S63.  399 

duty,  to  permit  such  a  large  force  as  Quantrell  had  to 
organize  in  the  center  of  his  Department,  and  march 
forty  miles  into  Kansas  without  being  pursued  by  our 
troops.  Unless  he  can  completely  destroy  QuantrelPs 
force  immediately,  which  is  now  perhaps  an  impossi- 
bilty,  the  people  of  this  State  will  petition  President 
Lincoln  to  remove  him  from  the  command  of  this 
department.  When  the  present  excitement  wears  off. 
a  different  feeling  may  prevail. 

Colonels  Jennison  and  Hoyt  made  rousing  speeches 
in  town  on  the  evening  of  the  7th,  for  the  purpose  of 
arousing  the  martial  enthusiasm  of  our  citizens  to  a 
point  that  will  induce  them  to  enlist  into  their  regi 
ment,  the  Fifteenth.  Their  efforts  in  this  direction 
are  very  commendable;  but  when  they  endeavor  to 
excite  passions  that  need  restraining,  I  cannot  go  with 
them.  The  lawless  spirit  is  always  rampant  enough, 
without  receiving  a  quasi  public  sanction.  They  talk 
ed  freely  about  burning  everything  in  the  two  border 
tiers  ol  counties  in  Missouri,  and  received  a  few  feeble 
cheers  from  the  crowd.  Colonel  Hoyt  was  one  of  the 
attorneys  who  defended  John  Brown,  when  he  was 
tried  for  treason  by  the  Virginia  authorities,  and 
therefore  drew  a  large  crowd,  as  our  people  were  curi 
ous  to  see  him  and  hear  him  speak.  He  is  a  young 
man  of  considerable  talent,  and  should  he  conduct 
himself  properly,  perhaps  has  a  brilliant  future  before 
him.  In  the  course  of  the  evening,  before  the  crowd 
dispersed,  the  popular  war  song,  "John  Brown's  body," 
<fec.,was  sung  with  a  good  deal  of  feeling  and  earnest- 


400  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   KEBELLION 

ness.  There  are  many  here  who  condemn  John  Brown's 
seizure  of  Harper's  Ferry,  and  think  that  he  deserved 
hanging  for  the  invasion  of  Virginia.  But  for  my 
own  part,  I  have  regarded  him  as  the  first  martyr  of 
the  war,  and  I  believe  that  he  will  live  as  long  in  the 
memory  of  the  nation,  as  any  of  our  great  military 
heroes.  Historians  of  the  future,  who  write  even  con 
densed  histories  of  this  great  contest,  will  not  likely 
omit  the  name  of  John  Brown  from  their  introductory 
chapters.  The  name  of  this  plain,  simple  man,  in  its 
present  connection,  will  live  in  the  hearts  of  liberty- 
loving  people  as  long  as  our  national  history  lives. 
When  the  slave-holders  hung  him,  they  doubtless 
little  thought  that  they  were  raising  a  storm  that 
would  shortly  sweep  away  their  cherished,  and  to 
them  divinely  ordained,  institution. 

Colonels  Jennison  and  Hoyt  left  on  the  8th  for 
Paola,  where  they  will  join  General  Lane,  who  has 
perhaps  nearly  five  thousand  citizens  assembled  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  plan  of  invad 
ing  Missouri.  It  has  been  published  that  those  in  favor 
of  joining  this  Grand  Army  of  Invasion,  should  bring 
with  them  fifteen  days'  rations,  blankets  and  complete 
equipments  for  the  field.  Though  General  Lane  is  a 
great  man  in  Kansas,  and  has  great  influence  over  her 
citizens,  and  could  probably  by  his  eloquence  persuade 
many  of  them  to  follow  him  right  up  to  the  cannon's 
mouth,  yet  there  are  reasons  for  thinking  that  his  citi 
zen  army  will  prove  a  failure;  for  it  is  not  likely  that 
his  victorious  torchbearers,  even  if  they  should  start 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  401 

out  as  gallant  knights  on  such  a  glorious  crusade, 
would  bring  back  with  them  many  valuable  trophies 
and  guerrilla  chieftains  bound  in  golden  chains.  The 
cream  has  been  taken  from  the  milk  repeatedly,  arid 
those  who  took  it  have  consumed  it  or  left  the  country. 
The  fine  milch  cow  that  once  furnished  the  rich  milk 
has  been  terribly  beaten,  and  turned  out  to  graze  on 
thorns  and  thistles. 

It  is  now  known  to  the  people  of  this  State  that 
General  Schofield  has  issued  an  order  forbidding  Gen 
eral  Lane's  Grand  Army  of  citizens  invading  Missouri 
without  authority  from  General  Ewiiig,  the  District 
Commander.  This  order,  unless  revoked,  will  probab 
ly  put  a  quietus  on  General  Lane's  contemplated  inva 
sion.  Had  he  crossed  the  line  and  commenced  to  carry 
out  his  generally  understood  programme,  it  is  now 
thought  that  he  would  have  soon  come  in  contact 
with  the  Missouri  State  troops.  It  is  reported  that 
they  say  with  a  good  deal  of  emphasis,  that  they  would 
shoot  a  Kansas  invader,  caught  in  the  act  of  applying 
the  torch  to  a  Union  man's  property,  just  as  quick  as 
they  would  a  bushwhacker  caught  in  a  similar  act.  It 
would  be  strange  if  they  would  stand  idly  by  and  see 
their  homes  destroyed  by  a  mob.  The  idea  of  a  mob 
of  citizens  from  this  State  invading  Missouri  for  the 
purpose  of  avenging  the  crime  of  Quantrell  at  Law 
rence,  has  seemed  to  me  wild  from  the  beginning.  I 
may  remark,  however,  that  there  is  an  opportunity  for 
those  who  have  been  clamoring  for  invasion  to  satisfy 
their  martial  ardor  by  enlisting  into  the  service  of  the 
26 


402  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

United  States  immediately.    They  may  have  an  oppor 
tunity  yet  of  satiating  their  thirst  for  war. 

Dispatches  have  just  been  received  here  from  Gen 
eral  Blunt  announcing  his  capture  of  Fort  Smith,  and 
the  defeat  of  General  Cooper's  army  at  Perryville,  a 
small  town  in  the  Creek  nation,  about  seventy-five 
miles  south  of  Fort  Gibson.  At  Perryville.  General 
Cooper's  army  was  completely  routed  and  dispersed, 
and  a  large  number  of  animals  and  nearly  all  his  com 
missary  stores  captured.  The  enemy  lost  about  twenty 
men  killed  and  perhaps  forty  wounded  and  sixty  pris 
oners  in  the  engagement.  They  made  a  very  feeble 
stand,  and  when  they  broke  they  could  not  be  rallied 
again.  Our  troops  pursued  their  flying  columns  far 
towards  Red  River.  General  Blunt  moved  on  Fort 
Smith  with  preparations  for  a  hard  fight;  but  the  ene 
my  under  General  Cabell,  after  a  little  skirmishing 
west  of  the  Potoe  River,  withdrew,  and  General  Blunt 
marched  in  and  took  possession  of  the  Fort  and  City. 
The  latest  dispatches  via  St.  Louis  state  Generals 
Steele  and  Davidson  have  captured  Little  Rock,  the 
capital  of  Arkansas.  The  city  was  taken  without  any 
hard  fighting,  but  the  enemy  contested  the  advance  of 
our  troops  while  marching  across  the  country.  If  the 
forces  of  Generals  Blunt  and  Davidson  form  a  junction 
now,  the  Arkansas  River  can  be  opened  to  navigation 
above  Little  Rock.  It  may  be,  however,  that  it  has 
not  a  sufficient  volume  of  water  at  this  season  to  float 
even  light  draft  steamers.  But  if  Little  Rock  can 
be  made  a  depot  of  supplies  by  direct  shipment  from 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  403 

St.  Louis,  it  will  be  more  convenient  for  our  troops 
at  Fort  Smith  to  transport  their  supplies  from 
there  than  from  this  point.  Fort  Gibson,  how 
ever,  will  probably  still  receive  supplies  from 
this  place,  until  the  Arkansas  River  is  opened  to 
navigation.  A  month  or  more  may  be  required  to 
perfect  arrangements  for  bringing  supplies  through 
from  Little  Rock  to  the  Army  of  the  Frontier  at  Fort 
Smith,  so  that,  in  the  meantime,  supply  trains  will  be 
sent  out  from  here  as  usual.  The  large  supply  train 
that  leaves  this  post  on  the  13th,  will  go  to  Fort  Smith 
via  Fort  Gibson.  Since  the  Lawrence  massacre  has 
given  Quantrell  the  reputation  of  possessing  a  bold 
and  daring  spirit,  it  is  thought  that  he  may  venture 
to  attack  this  train.  If  he  cannot  get  together  a  force 
larger  than  the  escort,  he  is  not  likely  to  make  an  at 
tack.  Colonel  Blair  has  sent  out  a  detachment  of 
cavalry  to  the  east  and  southeast  of  this  place,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  if  there  are  any  recent  indi 
cations  of  an  enemy  having  passed  down  the  border, 
or  coming  in  from  the  south.  The  commanding  offi 
cer  of  the  escort  will,  however,  understand  the  neces 
sity  of  being  extremely  vigilant. 

The  politicians  of  this  State  are  clamoring  for  a 
new  department,  to  embrace  Kansas  and  the  Indian 
country.  Senator  Lane  will  probably  prevail  upon 
President  Lincoln,  to  direct  the  Secretary  of  War  to 
issue  the  necessary  orders  at  an  early  day.  As  soon 
as  its  limits  shall  have  been  defined,  it  is  proposed  to 
have  General  Blunt  put  in  command.  Senator  Lane 


404:  MEMOIRS  OP  THE   REBELLION 

ought  then  to  be  happy.  General  Blunt  has  been 
very  successful  in  all  his  military  operations,  and  has 
the  reputation  of  being  a  good  fighter,  so  that  he  may 
wish  a  more  active  field  than  the  new  department  will 
afford.  Now  that  he  has  captured  Fort  Smith,  west 
ern  Arkansas  should  be  attached  to  his  new  depart 
ment;  then  he  will  have  a  section  in  which  there  is  an 
organized  enemy  to  contend  with.  In  the  Indian 
country,  since  the  defeat  of  General  Cooper  at  Per- 
ryville,  there  is  no  foe  worthy  his  attention.  The  bit 
terness  of  the  people  of  this  State  against  General 
Schofield  is,  perhaps,  in  a  large  measure,  unjustifiable. 
He  is  in  a  position  where  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
satisfy  all  factions  and  parties.  He  has  received 
direct  instructions  from  President  Lincoln  to  favor  no 
one  faction  of  the  Missouri  Unionists  more  than  the 
other.  Mr.  Lincoln  has  not  only  recognized  the  loyal 
element  in  Missouri,  but  he  has  done  it  to  the  extent 
of  selecting  one  of  his  Cabinet  officers  from  that  State. 
He  seems  to  have  watched  over  the  State  from  the  be 
ginning  of  the  war  with  special  interest,  for  which  her 
loyal  people  will  ever  feel  grateful. 

It  is  now  officially  announced  that,  after  upwards 
of  a  month's  bombardment,  General  Gillmore  has 
captured  Forts  Wagner  and  Gregg,  in  Charleston  Har 
bor,  and  that  the  city  of  Charleston  is  entirely  under 
his  guns.  The  vigorous  bombardment  of  the  city 
itself  will  now  soon  be  commenced.  The  rebel  strong 
holds  are  gradually  crumbling  before  our  victorious 
arms,  and  their  territory  is  contracting  day  by  day. 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  405 

One  must  be  stupidly  blind  not  to  see  that  we  are  rap 
idly  approaching  the  end  of  the  struggle.  The  faint 
hearted,  and  those  who  have  all  along  doubted  the 
ability  of  the  government  to  crush  the  rebellion, 
should  now  fall  into  line,  so  that  they  may  in  the  fu 
ture  have  the  pleasure  of  knowing,  that  towards  the 
last  of  this  important  struggle  they  were  on  the  side 
of  justice  and  right,  and  did  something  towards  main 
taining  our  national  life. 

Captain  Coleman,  Ninth  Kansas  Cavalry,  had  a 
lively  skirmish  with  a  party  of  Quantrell's  men  on 
the  17th  instant,  killing  three  of  the  guerrillas  and 
wounding  several  others.  He  also  captured  from  them 
a  considerable  amount  of  the  property  which  they 
took  from  Lawrence,  such  as  horses,  mules,  goods,  etc. 
Two  of  our  soldiers  were  wounded  in  the  affair,  but 
not  mortally. 

Captain  N.  B.  Lucas,  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry, 
who  has  just  came  up  from  Fort  Gibson  with  his  com 
pany  as  an  escort  for  General  DuBoice,  Inspector 
General,  will  continue  his  escort  duty  to  Kansas  City, 
and  then  remain  in  that  section  for  a  while  to  operate 
against  the  guerrillas  of  Jackson  and  Cass  counties. 
He  served  with  us  in  the  Indian  division  under  Colo 
nel  Phillips  until  General  Blunt  came  down,  and  I 
know  that  he  is  an  efficient  officer,  and  that  the  enemy 
will  feel  his  presence,  now  that  he  is  detailed  for  duty 
o%  the  border.  When  I  recall  our  service  together  in 
the  Indian  country,  I  almost  regret  that  Colonel  Blair 
has  requested  of  General  Blunt  my  temporary  detail 


406  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

for  special  duty  at  this  post,  for  it  is  much  more  satis 
factory  to  be  able  to  chronicle  important  events  on  the 
spot,  than  to  chronicle  them  after  sifting  the  state 
ments  of  half  a  dozen  persons.  This,  however,  is  a 
central  position,  from  which  I  can  follow  the  move 
ments  of  our  troops  to  the  north  of  us  along  the  bor 
der,  or  to  the  south,  down  the  border  as  far  as  Fort 
Smith  and  Fort  Gibson  in  the  Indian  Territory. 

On  the  21st,  quite  a  number  of  citizens  of  this 
place,  who  are  believed  to  be  in  sympathy  with  the 
rebellion,  received  anonymous  notices  that  they  must 
leave  the  city  within  ten  days,  if  they  regard  their 
personal  safety  as  a  matter  of  serious  consideration.  It 
is  generally  thought  that  these  notices  have  been  sent 
out  by  direction  of  the  Union  League  of  Fort  Scott. 
I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  this  opinion  is  correct, 
for,  in  a  conversation  with  several  members  of  the 
League,  with  which  I  am  somewhat  in  sympathy,  they 
tacitly  admitted  that  such  was  the  case.  In  war  times 
those  who  naturally  dislike  secret  political  organiza 
tions,  feel  compelled  to  adopt  extraordinary  measures 
for  their  own  safety.  A  great  deal  of  leniency  has 
been  shown  certain  rebel  sympathizers  here.  The 
soldiers  and  loyal  citizens  feel  that  those  who  sympa 
thize  with  the  rebellion,  on  account  of  the  danger  of 
their  betraying  us,  if  possible,  into  the  hands  of  a  foe 
that  has  unfurled  the  black  flag,  should  not  be  per 
mitted  to  remain  in  our  midst.  The  great  crime^of 
the  Lawrence  massacre,  that  has  sent  a  thrill  of  horror 
through  the  hearts  of  the  loyal  community,  has  pro- 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  4:OT 

duced  in  the  rebel  sympathizers  a  feeling  of  self-satis 
faction,  unless  the  expressions  of  their  countenances 
belie  them.  We  cannot  afford  to  tolerate  among  us 
men  who  would  betray  us,  and  then  have  us  cruelly 
murdered.  Though  some  of  those  who  received  the 
notices  alluded  to  above,  have  been  quite  bitter  in 
their  denunciations  of  the  government,  recently  they 
have  been  more  cautious  and  discreet,  and  have  rarely 
let  slip  any  strong  language.  From  inquiries,  it  ap 
pears  that  quite  a  number  of  those  who  received 
warnings  will  leave  \his  place  temporarily,  any  way. 
They  ought  to  be  able  to  see  that,  to  the  loyal  mind, 
they  are  regarded  almost  in  the  light  of  spies.  A 
number  of  officers  also  received  these  anonymous 
notices.  In  several  instances  the  thing  was  carried 
too  far. 

General  Blunt  and  staff  and  Colonel  William 
R.  Judson,  and  a  number  of  other  officers  belono-- 

7  o 

ing  to  the  Army  of  the  Frontier,  arrived  at  this 
post  Wednesday,  the  23d,  from  Fort  Smith.  A 
brilliant  reception  was  given  the  General  and  his 
party.  Colonel  C.  W.  Blair,  commanding  the  troops 
here,  ordered  them  out  as  a  compliment  to  the  hero 
of  many  battles.  He  also  directed  Captain  Smith's 
battery  to  fire  a  Major  General's  salute,  and  the  bands 
to  take  their  proper  place  in  the  line. 

Colonel  Blair,  who  is  one  of  the  finest  orators  in  the 
State,  if  not  indeed  in  the  West,  made  the  reception 
speech,  in  charming  and  elegant  language.  The  an 
nouncement  that  Colonel  Blair  is  to  speak  on  any  oc- 


408  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

casion,  is  always  sufficient  to  draw  an  immense  crowd 
in  this  section.  But  aside  from  this  fact,  the  citizens 
and  soldiers  of  Fort  Scott  felt  like  honoring  General 
Blunt  for  his  brilliant  campaign  in  northwestern  Ar 
kansas  last  fall,  and  for  his  scarcely  less  brilliant  cam 
paign  in  the  Indian  country  the  last  two  months,  end 
ing  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Smith.  I  must  remark, 
however,  that  most  of  the  glory  claimed  for  him  in 
his  recent  campaign  justly  belongs  to  Colonel  William 
A.  Phillips,  whose  heroic  action  through  six  months 
of  extraordinary  trials,  made  possible  the  recent 
achievements  of  our  arms  in  the  Indian  country. 

A  detachment  of  soldiers  which  has  just  come  from 
Southwest  Missouri,  state  that  Colonel  M.  La  Hue  Harri 
son,  of  the  First  Kansas  cavalry,  had  a  fight  on  the 
21st  with  the  rebel  forces  of  Colonels  Coffey  and 
Brown,  near  the  mouth  of  Buffalo  Creek,  Newton 
County,  Missouri,  and  killed  five  of  the  enemy  and 
wounded  several  others.  This  recent  action  indicates 
that  Colonel  Harrison  is  improving  in  fighting  quali 
ties.  His  precipitate  retreat  from  Fayetteville  last 
spring,  when  he  was  expected  to  co-operate  with  Colo 
nel  Phillips,  was  not  by  any  means  very  creditable  to 
him,  and  if  what  has  been  reported  in  regard  to  the 
matter  be  true,  should  have  subjected  him  to  censure 
by  court  martial.  Perhaps  he  has  determined  to  wipe 
out  that  little  stain  from  his  record 

A  great  battle  was  fought  on  the  19th  and  20th  in 
stant,  near  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  between  the  forces 
of  General  Rosecrans,  about  sixty  thousand  strong, 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  409 

and  the  combined  rebel  forces  of  Generals  Bragg, 
Longstreet  and  Hill,  estimated  at  upwards  of  a  hun 
dred  thousand  men.  It  is  reported  that  the  losses  in 
killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides,  will  foot  up  twenty- 
five  thousand  men.  Our  troops  have  suffered  a  tempo 
rary  check  in  their  forward  movement.  It  is  the  inten 
tion,  however,  to  renew  the  contest  as  soon  as  rein 
forcements  come  up. 

Our  scouts  brought  in  a  report  on  Sunday,  the  27th, 
that  a  band  of  guerrillas  near  Nevada,  Yernon  Coun 
ty,  Missomi,  have  had  under  consideration  a  scheme 
to  kill  or  capture  our  pickets  between  Fort  Scott  and 
the  State  line,  and  then  make  a  raid  on  this  place. 
Colonel  Blair,  however,  had  found  out  their  intentions 
from  his  scouts,  and  has  thwarted  their  contemplated 
movement  by  sending  a  detachment  of  cavalry  to  look 
after  them.  He  has  had  the  picket  guards  very  skill 
fully  posted  between  this  post  and  Missouri,  so  that 
if  the  enemy  should  kill  or  capture  the  men  on  the 
outer  station,  they  would  not  be  able  to  pass  the  inner 
stations  without  causing  alarm. 

General  Blunt  who  has  been  here  since  the  23d  in 
stant,  is  making  preparations  to  return  to  Fort  Smith, 
in  about  a  week,  to  take  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Frontier.  The  headquarters  of  his  district  will  be  re 
moved  from  here,  and  his  assistant  adjutant  general, 
Major  II.  Z.  Curtis,  who  has  been  here  attending  to 
the  regular  business  of  the  district,  will  accompany 
him,  taking  along  all  the  records  of  the  office. 

The  Bourbon  County  Fair  commenced  at  this  place 


410  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

on  the  30th,  with  a  large  attendance  from  all  parts  of 
the  county.  This  is  the  first  fair  ever  held  in  this 
section  of  the  State,  and  the  exhibitions  of  stock,  agri 
cultural  productions,  handy  works  of  the  ladies,  &c., 
will  compare  favorably  with  the  county  fairs  of  the 
older  States.  To  see  the  great  throng  of  people  from 
the  country  deeply  interested  in  exhibiting  their  vari 
ous  productions,  and  discussing  the  merits  of  this  or 
that  animal,  or  this  or  that  agricultural  product,  al 
most  makes  the  soldier  forget  that  he  is  a  soldier. 
Many  of  those  dressed  in  blue,  who  were  in  attend 
ance  to-day,  will  perhaps  dream  to-night  of  the  peace 
ful  times  when  their  minds  were  filled  with  thoughts 
pertaining  to  the  duties  of  domestic  and  social  life. 
They  will  be  wholly  unconscious  that  they  are  sleeping 
in  the  habilaments  of  war,  and  that  the  storm  may 
break  forth  upon  them  at  any  moment.  Those  who 
have  been  in  service  on  the  border  since  the  begin 
ning  of  the  war,  know  that  they  may  be  aroused  any 
night  by  the  beating  of  the  long  roll,  or  the  distant 
firing  of  the  enemy,  driving  in  our  outposts.  No 
town  on  the  border  has  been  subjected  to  so  much  ex 
citement  of  this  kind  as  this  place. 

Dispatches  received  from  Fort  Smith  state  that 
Colonel  Cloud's  brigade  has  been  ordered  back  from 
that  section  to  the  southern  line  of  Missouri,  in  con 
sequence  of  the  threatened  invasion  by  a  portion  of 
General  Price's  army,  recently  driven  from  Little 
Rock  by  our  troops  under  Generals  Steele  and 
Davidson.  Colonel  Bowen,  commanding  the 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  4:11 

Second  Brigade,  stationed  at  Webber's  Falls  above 
Fort  Smith,  lias  probably  marched  to  the  latter  place 
by  this  time,  to  relieve  Colonel  Cloud.  Unless  Gen 
erals  Steele  and  Davidson  continue  the  pursuit  of 
Price's  army  from  Little  Rock,  it  will  likely  either 
march  to  Fort  Smith,  and  attack  our  forces  there,  or 
turn  north  and  invade  Missouri.  From  such  informa 
tion  as  I  can  obtain,  it  looks  as  if  the  cavalry  divisions 
of  Marmaduke  and  Shelby  were  preparing  for  an  im 
mediate  invasion  of  Missouri.  The  country  north  of 
the  Arkansas  River,  above  Little  Rock,  is  open  to  the 
northern  line  of  the  State,  and  they  would  meet  with 
little  or  no  opposition  until  they  passed  into  Missouri. 
But  as  soon  as  they  enter  that  State,  they  are  not  likely 
to  find  much  time  for  rest  until  they  leave  it,  for  the 
State  troops  and  volunteers  stationed  at  the  different 
points,  can  soon  concentrate  in  sufficient  force  to  keep 
them  moving.  Since  Yicksburg  has  fallen,  and  Little 
Rock  abandoned,  Price's  army  has  really  nothing  else 
to  do  but  to  send  its  cavalry  on  this  contemplated  raid. 
The  cavalry  divisions  above  mentioned  are  composed 
of  Missourians,  and  the  officers  and  men  in  them  will 
anxiously  join  an  expedition  that  will  give  them  an. 
opportunity  of  briefly  visiting  their  families  and 
homes.  I  have  seen  enough  to  convince  me  that  men 
apparently  destitute  of  sympathetic  and  tender  feel 
ings,  will  subject  themselves  without  a  murmur  to  ex 
traordinary  dangers  and  hardships,  if  there  is  a  pros 
pect  that  they  will  be  able  to  see  only  for  a  few  mo 
ments,  their  families  and  those  very  dear  to  them. 


412  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

While  the  enemy  perhaps  have  no  thought  of  perma 
nent  occupation,  they  doubtless  think  that  a  successful 
raid  to  the  interior  of  the  State  will  give  them  nu 
merous  recruits,  strengthen  their  cause,  and  show  to 
the  country  that  the  confederacy  is  not  dead  yet. 
Should  they  be  successful  in  accomplishing  only  a  part 
of  their  probable  plan,  it  will  stimulate  the  Copper 
heads  of  the  north  to  continue  their  opposition  to  the 
Government,  and  to  renew  the  cry  that  "the  war  is  a 
failure."  The  Government  has  shown  them  great  len- 

o 

iency,  for  under  other  governments  less  moderate  than 
ours  in  their  treatment  of  criminals,  many  of  them 
would  have  been  hung  for  their  traitorous  speeches 
and  actions.  The  patience  of  the  loyal  people  has 
been  tried  almost  to  the  last  extremity. 


CHAPTER  XXIL 

General  Blunt,  Staff  and  Escort  start  to  Fort  Smith— Two  Sol 
diers  killed  near  Fort  Scott  by  the  enemy — Signs  of  an  ap 
proaching  storm — The  enemy  endeavor  to  capture  or  kill  the 
Federal  pickets,  and  to  make  a  dash  on  Fort  Scott — General 
Blunt's  escort  attacked  by  Quantrell  near  Baxter  Springs,  and 
nearly  all  killed— Colonel  Blair  with  a  cavalry  force  to  the 
rescue — Members  of  the  Band  burned  in  the  Band  wagon — 
The  enemy  defeated  by  Lieutenant  Pond  at  Baxter  Springs — 
The  invasion  of  Missouri  by  General  Shelby,  with  two  thou 
sand  cavalry  and  three  pieces  of  artillery — The  Missouri 
State  militia  in  pursuit  of  him— The  Militia  capture  his  artil 
lery  and  disperse  his  force — General  E wing's  force  joins  in 
the  pursuit  of  the  enemy — The  enemy  driven  from  the  State — 
General  John  McNeil  to  take  command  of  the  Federal  troops 
at  Fort  Smith — General  Lane  speaks  in  Fort  Scott — General 
Blunt  starts  to  Fort  Smith  again. 

General  Blunt  and  Staff,  his  fine  band,  and  every 
thing  pertaining  to  the  Headquarters  District  of  the 
Frontier,  left  this  post  the  evening  of  the  4th  inst., 
for  Fort  Smith  via  Fort  Gibson.  His  escort  is  made 
up  of  detachments  from  the  Fourteenth  Kansas  caval 
ry  and  one  Company  Third  Wisconsin  cavalry,  and 
his  band  all  belongs  to  the  latter  regiment.  The  sol 
diers  belonging  to  the  escort,  the  members  of  the 
band,  and  the  officers  of  his  Staff,  altogether  number 


414  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men.  The  papers  and 
records  pertaining  to  Headquarters,  were  mostly  care 
fully  packed  in  boxes  a  few  days  ago,  under  the  eye  of 
Major  H.  Z.  Curtis,  Assistant  Adjutant  General.  Ma 
jor  Curtis'  wife,  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  lady, 
who  has  been  here  with  her  husband  several  months,  also 
left  the  same  day  for  her  home  in  Iowa.  The  Band  for 
half  an  hour  before  the  General  took  leave  of  his 
friends,  played  some  very  fine  selections  while  sitting 
In  their  seats  in  the  Band  wagon  in  front  of  Colonel 
Blair's  residence,  on  the  north  side  of  the  piazza.  To 
me  the  music  seemed  unusually  sweet.  I  think  that 
each  member  must  have  taken  special  pains  to  per 
form  his  part  well.  A  band  wagon  has  been  fitted  up 
for  their  special  purpose,  and  is  drawn  by  four  fine 
horses.  The  horses  looked  as  if  they  were  proud  of 
the  service  required  of  them.  At  five  o'clock  General 
Blunt  and  some  of  his  Staif  got  into  his  carriage,  the 
bugle  sounded  the  march  and  the  escort  filed  out,  with 
its  silken  guidon  gayly  flying  at  the  head  of  the  column. 
He  intended  to  march  fifteen  to  twenty  miles  that 
night,  and  then  stop  a  few  hours  to  refresh  his  men 
and  animals  with  food  and  rest.  At  the  rate  he  usu 
ally  travels,  he  will  reach  Baxter  Springs  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  5th,  and  Fort  Gibson  two  days  later. 

Two  soldiers  of  the  Fourteenth  Kansas  cavalry,  who 
were  permitted  to  return  home  in  Vernon  County, 
Missouri,  to  see  their  families  before  starting  south 
with  their  regiment  shortly,  were  killed  on  the  night 
of  the  4th  hist.  It  is  reported  that  there  were  upwards 


ON  THE  BORDEK— 1863.  415 

of  a  hundred  of  the  enemy  in  the  party  who  killed  these 
men.  The  young  lady,  a  daughter  or  relative  of  one 
of  the  murdered  men,  who  brought  in  the  information, 
did  not,  in  the  excitement  caused  by  the  shooting,  as 
certain  the  name  of  the  commanding  officer  under 
whom  the  rebels  were  acting.  No  loyal  man  in  the 
Border  Counties  of  Missouri  can  stop  at  his  home  a 
single  night  without  great  danger.  It  is  folly  to  attempt 
it.  From  such  facts  as  I  have  collected,  however,  I  am 
satisfied  that  they  have  very  recently  entered  the  State, 
and  are  perhaps  an  advance  detachment  from  the  in 
vading  force  mentioned  several  days  ago.  Though  I 
can  get  no  definite  information  as  to  whether  the  ene 
my  are  about  to  invade  Missouri  in  force,  I  think  that 
I  have  learned  enough  to  justify  me  in  saying  that  the 
rumbling  sound  of  the  distant  thunder  may  be  heard, 
and  that  the  storm  is  beyond  doubt  coming,  and  may 
be  upon  us  in  a  few  days. 

Colonel  Blair  for  several  days  has  been  busy  in  put 
ting  everything  in  fighting  order,  in  the  event  of  the 
enemy  making  an  attack  on  this  post.  There  was  an 
alarm  in  town  on  the  night  of  the  4th,  and  the  troops 
were  under  arms  in  a  few  moments.  A  considerable 
force  of  the  enemy  endeavored  to  make  a  dash  on  this 
place,  or  to  capture  or  kill  our  pickets  near  the  State 
line.  ( )ur  picket  guard  at  the  outer  station,  as  soon 
as  they  discovered  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  fired 
a  signal,  and  then  rode  into  this  post  as  swiftly  as  pos 
sible,  so  that  everything  might  be  in  readiness  to  re 
ceive  the  rebels  should  they  have  decided  to  make  an 


416  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

attack.  Immediately  after  the  troops  were  aroused 
and  under  arms,  Colonel  Blair  sent  out  detach 
ments  of  cavalry  on  all  the  roads  leading  in  here  from 
Missouri,  to  discover,  if  practicable,  the  intentions  of 
the  enemy.  The  cavalry,  however,  returned  the  next 
morning,  and  the  officers  reported  that  they  found  no 
signs  of  the  enemy  having  appeared  nearer  here  than 
the  outer  picket  station,  and  that  their  trail  indicated 
that  they  then  marched  off  in  a  northeast  direction. 
It  is  supposed  that  when  they  found  their  scheme  was 
discovered  by  our  pickets  and  the  alarm  given,  that 
they  gave  up  the  idea  of  making  an  attack  on  the  post. 
Had  they  attempted  to  come  in,  we  would  really  have 
had  the  advantage,  for  we  could  have  ambushed  them 
at  half  a  dozen  points,  Information  brought  in  by 
our  scouts  on  the  5th,  and  information  from  other 
sources,  made  it  almost  certain  that  the  several  detach 
ments  of  the  enemy  which  have  passed  so  near  us  the 
last  two  days,  are  a  part  of  the  invading  force  of  Gen 
eral  Shelby. 

The  7th  was  a  day  of  great  excitement  at  this  post. 
Colonel  Blair  received  a  dispatch  about  one  o'clock  in 
the  morning  from  Baxter  Springs,  stating  that  Gen 
eral  Blunt's  escort  had  been  attacked  near  that  place 
by  a  force  under  Quantrell,  about  live  hundred  strong, 
and  that  nearly  all  his  men  and  most  of  his  staff  were 
killed  and  captured.  The  alarm  was  again  sounded, 
and  all  the  troops  called  out  under  arms.  Colonel 
Blair  immediately  took  most  of  the  cavalry  and  started 
to  the  relief  of  General  Blunt.  He  left  instructions, 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  417 

however,  looking  to  the  safety  of  this  post.  Later  in 
the  day,  two  men  who  were  with  General  Blunt  in  the 
engagement  of  Monday  evening,  and  three  men  who 
were  with  Lieutenant  Pond,  commanding  the  station 
at  Baxter  Spings,  arrived  here  and  furnished  addi 
tional  particulars. 

Between  four  and  five  o'clock  Monday,  5th  instant, 
Quantrell  with  three  hundred  men,  and  an  officer  be 
longing  to  Shelby's  command,  with  about  two  hun 
dred  men,  attacked  »the  station  at  Baxter  Springs. 
But  as  the  companies  there  under  Lieutenant  Pond 
have  rifle  pits  thrown  up  around  a  block  house  fur 
nished  with  port-holes  for  small  arms,  the  enemy, 
after  repeated  charges,  could  not  dislodge  them.  While 
they  continued  the  attack  they  soon  saw  that  the  cas 
ualties  were  likely  to  be  all  on  their  side.  Lieutenant 
Pond  had  also  one  howitzer,  which  was  effectually 
used,  for  when  the  enemy  came  near  enough  he  poured 
grape  and  canister  into  their  ranks  with  good  effect. 
But  they  took  the  precaution  to  put  a  guard  out  on 
the  military  road  leading  from  Fort  Scott,  about  a 
mile  north  of  Baxter  Springs.  Along  towards  five 
o'clock  the  guard  discovered  General  Blunt's  escort 
coming  in  sight,  perhaps  nearly  two  miles  distant  on 
the  prairie.  Quantrell  was  quickly  informed,  and  im 
mediately  abandoned  the  attack  on  Baxter,  and 
marched  to  meet  General  Blunt.  The  General's 
escort  had  just  emerged  from  the  strip  of  timber  on 
Brush  Creek,  when  the  advance  saw  coming  over 
a  ridge  in  the  prairie  from  towards  Baxter,  about 
27 


418  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

two   hundred    yards    off,    a    large  force    dressed    in 
Federal  uniform. 

The  officer  in  command  of  the  escort  supposed  that 
they  were  the  troops  from  Baxter  Springs.  As  soon 
as  Quan trell  was  informed  of  the  approach  of  Gen 
eral  Blunt's  escort,  he  posted  several  men  in  a  position 
to  observe  it  pass  over  a  ridge  in  the  prairie  on  the 
north  side  of  Brush  Creek,  a  mile  or  so  distant,  and  to 
estimate  the  approximate  number  of  men  by  the 
length  of  the  column.  With  a  good  spy-glass  the 
number  of  men  in  the  escort  could  easily  have  been 
counted  while  passing  over  the  ridge.  Quantrell 
therefore  knew  that  there  was  less  than  two  companies 
in  the  escort,  and  marched  forward  to  attack  it  with 
out  stopping  to  halt.  The  commanding  officer  of  the 
escort  made  no  effort  to  form  his  men  in  line  until  the 
enemy  had  come  within  fifty  yards  and  opened  fire. 
General  Blunt,  and  several  of  his  staff,  quickly  got  out 
of  his  carriage  and  commenced  to  direct  the  move 
ments  of  his  men.  But  as  the  enemy  had  approached 
nearer,  and  were  keeping  up  a  steady  fire,  the  escort 
fell  back  in  some  disorder.  General  Blunt  endeav 
ored  to  rally  his  men,  but  as  the  enemy  were  closing 
around  him  on  all  sides,  it  was  impossible  to  keep  them 
firm  under  the  galling  fire.  In  less  than  half  an  hour 
the  entire  escort  and  wagons  were  surrounded  by  the 
enemy.  General  Blunt  and  fifteen  to  twenty  men  cut 
their  way  through  and  escaped,  but  not  without  bullet 
holes  through  their  clothing.  All  the  rest  of  the 
escort,  members  of  the  band,  and  teamsters,  were 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  419 

killed  or  wounded,  and  lay  on  the  field  within  the  ra 
dius  of  half  a  mile.     The  wounded  who  escaped  death 
were  supposed  to  have  been  killed,  for  every  wounded 
man  the  enemy  saw  showing  signs  of  life,  they  shot 
through  the  head  or  heart.     A  few  of  our  soldiers  fell 
into  the  hands  of  Shelby's  men,  who  participated  in 
the  engagement,  and  were  protected  and  treated  as  pris 
oners  of  war,  but  not  without  expressions  of  dissatis 
faction  on  the  part  of  Quantrell's  men.     Our  loss  in 
the  affair  already  foots  up  eighty-five  killed  and  about 
twenty  wounded.     Some  of  the  wounded  will  die,  and 
perhaps  a  few  more  of  those  who  were  wounded  and 
died  on  the  prairie  in  the  vicinity  of  the  field  of  the 
disaster,  will  be  found,   so  that  our  total   loss  is  not 
likely  to  fall  short  of  ninety -five  men.     General  Blunt 
had  about  a  dozen  wagons  with  him,  and  had  he  or 
dered  them  corraled  immediately  after  the  enemy  open 
ed  fire,  he  could  probably  have  resisted  the  attack.    He 
may,  however,  have  been  pressed  too  closely  to  have  had 
time  to  corral  his  wagons.     Nearly  all  the  members  of 
the  band  were  shot  through  the  head,  the  band  wagon 
set  on   fire,   and  their  bodies  burned  in    it.     Their 
scorched  and  charred    remains  presented   a  horrible 
sight.     Nearly  all  the  band  were  Germans,  and  sev 
eral  of  the  ruffians  are  reported  to  have  exclaimed  : 
"  This  shall  be  the  fate  of  the  lopped-eared  Dutch  of 
Lincoln's  hirelings!"     Major  Curtis'  horse  was  shot 
under  him,  and  he  was  shot  and  killed  after  having 
become  dismounted.     The   bodies   of  Major   Curtis^ 
Lieutenant    Farr,   General  Blunt's  Judge  Advocate,' 


420  MEMOIRS   OF  THE   REBELLION 

and  two  soldiers,  will  arrive  here  011  the  8th,  to 
be  sent  north. 

The  losses  of  the  enemy  in  the  engagements  with 
Lieutenant  Pond  and  General  Blunt,  are  estimated  at 
about  thirteen  killed.  About  a  dozen  of  their  men 
have  been  found  on  the  field,  and  they  are  known  to 
have  carried  away  some  of  their  killed  and  wounded. 
Their  heaviest  loss,  however,  was  in  the  attack  on  the 
block-house,  and  they  could  not  have  taken  it  without 
artillery.  General  Blunt  thought  that  they  had  cap 
tured  Lieutenant  Pond's  force,  or  he  would  have  made 
an  effort  to  fight  his  way  to  it.  Or  had  Lieutenant 
Pond  known  of  the  approach  of  General  Blunt,  and 
that  the  enemy  had  marched  away  to  attack  him,  he 
could  and  it  would  have  been  his  duty  to  have  attacked 
him  in  the  rear. 

Quantrell  took  General  Blunt's  carriage  with  him, 
and  marched  south  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Gibson, 
and  Shelby's  men  marched  northward,  and  were,  per 
haps,  the  force  that  fired  into  our  pickets  again  on  the 
night  of  the  Tth. 

General  Blunt  and  Colonel  Blair  arrived  on  the 
morning  of  the  12th,  from  Baxter  Springs.  As  Gen 
eral  Blunt  now  has  definite  information  that  Shelby, 
Gordon  and  Hunter  have  invaded  Missouri,  with  a 
force  of  about  two  thousand  men  and  three  pieces  of 
light  artillery,  and  are  marching  northward,  he  will 
probably  remain  here  a  week  or  so,  to  make  such  dis 
position  of  his  troops  as  will  best  protect  the  border 
counties  of  Kansas.  This  being  a  large  depot  of  army 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  421 

supplies,  and  only  a  few  miles  from  the  State  line,  it 
is  thought  that  Shelby  may  turn  aside  and  attack  us 
here  in  a  few  days.  But  we  have  one  battery,  beside 
four  twenty-four  pound  siege  guns,  and  troops  enough 
to  hold  the  place  several  days  against  an  enemy  of  two 
thousand  men.  The  heights  to  the  east  of  us,  should 
the  enemy  get  possession  of  them,  would  give  him 
positions  from  which  he  could  throw  shells  into  the 
town. 

General  Blunt  has  sent  orders  for  the  troops  stationed 
at  Webber's  Falls  and  Skullyville  to  move  into  Fort 
Smith,  and  all  the  Indian  troops  stationed  at  different 
points  in  the  Nation  to  concentrate  at  Fort  Gibson. 
If  Colonel  Phillips  has  returned  to  take  command  of 
the  Indian  division,  we  need  have  no  fears  of  the  ene 
my  capturing  Fort  Gibson.  It  is  reported  that  General 
Shelby,  with  the  assistance  of  his  artillery,  has  been 
able  to  capture  one  or  two  posts  in  southwest  Mis 
souri.  The  militia,  not  being  aware  that  the  enemy 
had  artillery  with  them,  undertook  to  defend  their  sta 
tions,  and  were  surrounded  and  attacked  with  it 
at  short  range,  and  compelled  to  surrender.  Their 
losses,  however,  by  capture  have  been  quite  light. 
Shelby  has  moved  through  Missouri  very  rapidly,  hav 
ing  met  with  no  serious  opposition  at  first.  But  he  had 
marched  only  a  few  days  through  the  State  when  he  ra  n 
into  a  hornet's  nest.  General  Brown,  commanding  the 
State  militia  in  Central  Missouri,  attacked  him  at  Mar 
shall  a  small  town  in  Saline  county,  on  the  13th  instant, 
and  after  two  hours'  hard  fighting,  captured  all  his  ar- 


422  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

tiller y,  and  dispersed  his  men  in  every  direction.  The 
enemy  lost  twenty  men  killed  and  a  large  number 
wounded,  and  a  few  prisoners.  Nearly  all  the  militia 
in  southwest  Missouri  have  joined  the  chase.  General 
Ewing,  commanding  District  of  the  Border,  includ 
ing  border  counties  of  Missouri,  has  taken  the  field  in 
person,  and  is  determined  to  press  the  enemy  vigor 
ously  until  they  are  driven  from  the  State. 

Lieutenant  R.  J.  Lewis,  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry, 
and  Judge  Advocate  on  the  Staff  of  General  Ewing, 
arrived  here  the  night  of  the  16th,  direct  from  the 
troops  in  the  field,  for  the  purpose  of  having  requisi 
tions  for  ammunition,  quartermaster  and  commissary 
supplies,  filled  and  sent  forward  at  the  earliest  practi 
cable  moment.  After  the  engagement  at  Marshall, 
most  of  Shelby's  force  retreated  in  a  westward  direc 
tion,  and  soon  came  in  contact  with  General  Ewirig's 
forces.  The  State  troops  under  General  Brown  did 
not  stop  the  pursuit  after  the  fight  at  Marshall,  but  are 
co-operating  with  General  Ewing  with  hope  of  captur 
ing  Shelby's  entire  force.  While  our  troops  will  not 
likely  capture  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  raiding 
force,  they  will  prevent  it  from  taking  much  property 
from  the  State.  From  the  turn  affairs  have  taken,  it  is 
thought  that  Shelby  will  be  disappointed  in  regard  to 
increasing  his  army  of  invasion.  He  is  losing  by  de 
sertions,  and  by  those  who  have  had  enough  of  the 
rebellion  and  are  surrendering  to  our  authorities,  ful 
ly  as  many  men  as  he  is  gaining  by  rebel  sympathizers 
joining  him  from  the  localities  through  which  he  pas- 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  423 

ses.  We  shall  not  complain  if  he  takes  from  the  State 
every  bushwhacker  and  rebel  sympathizer  in  it.  Sev 
eral  couriers  who  have  just  arrived  from  Fort  Gibson 
state  that  Quantrell's  force  crossed  the  Arkansas  Kiver 
about  a  week  ago,  a  few  miles  above  that  post.  They 
surprised  and  killed  six  Indian  soldiers  and  two  or 
three  negroes  near  the  mouth  of  the  Yerdigris  Eiver. 
One  of  the  negroes  which  they  captured  they  intended 
to  take  with  them  to  Texas.  He  escaped  one  night, 
however,  and  reached  Fort  Gibson  after  several  day's 
wandering  in  the  Nation.  He  states  that  he  heard 
them  say  that  they  were  on  their  way  to  Texas,  and 
would  not  return  to  Missouri  until  towards  spring. 
They  regarded  General  Blunt's  carriage  as  quite  a 
trophy,  and  intend  to  exhibit  it  to  their  friends  and 
admirers  in  Texas. 

A  messenger  came  in  from  the  Osage  Mission,  Octo 
ber  20th,  and  reported  that  there  was  a  small  rebel 
force  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place  on  the  night  of  the 
18th,  under  Cy  Gordon.  They  committed  some  petty 
depredations  and  then  left. 

On  the  18th  instant  General  Swing's  forces  overtook 
and  had  a  skirmish  with  Shelby's  rear  guard  at  Car 
thage,  Jasper  county,  Missouri,  and  captured  thirty 
prisoners,  including  one  Major.  No  better  officer 
could  be  sent  against  the  enemy  in  the  field  than  Gen 
eral  Ewing.  Some  stragglers  are  also  being;  daily 
picked  up.  The  rebels  are  said  to  be  much  exhausted 
from  constant  marching  and  fighting  since  they  inva 
ded  the  State.  It  is  difficult  to  capture  a  cavalry  force 


424  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

or  compel  it  to  fight,  when  its  commanding  officer  does 
not  wish  to  risk  an  engagement  with  his  adversary, 
In  his  dispatches  General  Ewing  states  that  he  will 
continue  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  to  the  southern 
Kne  of  Missouri.  And  if  they  do  not  keep  dwindling 
in  numbers  until  there  is  only  a  corporal's  guard  to 
pursue,  he  wTill  perhaps  continue  to  follow  them  far 
into  Arkansas. 

There  is  some  talk  now  that  General  John  McNeil, 
who  has  for  several  months  been  in  command  of  the  dist- 
trict  of  Southwest  Missouri,  will  soon  relieve  General 
Blunt  of  the  command  of  the  troops  at  Fort  Smith.  It 
is  not  thought  by  a  good  many  that  General  Blunt 
should  be  relieved  just  at  this  time.  The  Baxter  Springs 
disaster,  should  not,  his  friends  say,  be  deemed  a  suffi 
cient  cause  for  his  removal.  It  was  more  of  an  accident 
than  ablunder.  He  is  a  brave  officer,  and  has  never  be 
fore  met  with  defeat.  He  is  popular  with  the  Army  of 
the  Frontier,  and  it  is  not  generally  thought  that  the 
recent  disaster  would  lessen  the  confidence  of  the  sol 
diers  in  him.  He  will  go  down  with  the  supply  train 
in  a  few  days  at  any  rate,  though  it  may  be  for  the 
purpose  of  turning  over  his  command.  If,  however,  he 
desires  to  keep  his  command,  Senator  Lane  will  doubt 
less  use  his  influence  in  his  behalf. 

General  Thomas  Ewing  has  been  assigned  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  District  of  Kansas,  with  headquarters  at 
this  post.  The  border  tier  of  counties  of  Missouri, 
as  far  south  as  Barton  county,  will  be  included  in  his 
district.  He  is  expected  to  assume  command  of  his 


ON   THE   BORDER-1863.  425 

new  district  in  a  few  days,  or  just  as  soon  as  lie  returns 
from  the  expedition  in  pursuit  of  Shelby's  raiders. 

Major  W.  C.  Ransom,  of  the  Sixth  Kansas  Cavalry, 
arrived  here  on  the  23d,  with  about  four  hundred  men, 
direct  from  General  Ewing's  command,  which  he  left 
at  Neosho,  Missouri.  He  has  come  up  for  ammuni 
tion  and  other  supplies  for  the  troops  with  General 
Ewing.  He  reports  our  men  short  of  almost  every 
thing,  and  much  worn  from  constant  marching  and 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy  for  the  last  two  weeks. 
He  is  one  of  the  most  experienced  and  efficient  officers 
on  duty  along  the  border,  and  no  better  one  could  have 
been  selected  to  perform  an  important  service  like  that 
which  has  been  intrusted  to  him.  In  recognition  of 
his  well-known  abilities,  General  Lyon,  in  July,  1861, 
authorized  him  to  raise  the  regiment  to  which  he  be 
longs.  He  worked  more  industriously  and  persist 
ently  in  organizing  and  drilling  his  regiment  than  any 
other  officer  in  it.  Kansas  may  well  be  proud  of  him. 

Senator  Lane  made  a  big  speech  from  the  balcony 
of  the  Wilder  House  on  the  evening  of  the  24th,  to  a 
large  audience.  He  discussed  the  political  issues  of 
the  day,  the  prospect  of  the  early  collapse  of  the  Con 
federacy,  and  was  particularly  severe,  and  in  my  opin 
ion  justly,  on  the  Copperheads  of  the  North,  or  those 
who  are  opposing  and  embarrassing  the  Government 
in  its  efforts  to  crush  the  rebellion.  He  has  appar 
ently  abandoned,  and  I  think  very  sensibly,  the 
scheme  of  his  crusade  into  Missouri,  as  he  did  not 
refer  to  it  directly.  It  would  be  difficult  to  see  how 


426  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

he  could  advocate  it  in  the  light  of  recent  events — that 
is,  in  the  face  of  the  heroic  bravery  displayed  by  the 
Missouri  State  troops  in  capturing  the  enemy's  artil 
lery,  and  dispersing  his  forces.  General  Blunt  was 
also  called  out,  and  made  a  short  and  neat  little 
speech.  He  is  not  much  of  a  speaker,  and  it  is  not 
likely  that  he  is  in  the  proper  frame  of  mind  to  dis 
play  his  eloquence,  even  if  he  were  an  orator.  There  is 
little  doubt  but  that  he  is  still  very  sensitive  in  regard 
to  the  Baxter  Springs  misfortune,  and  probably  feels 
that  the  eyes  of  the  public  are  severely  upon  him. 
He  knows  that  an  officer  whom  the  Government  trusts 
with  the  lives  of  thousands  of  men,  is  expecced  to  see 
to  it  that  their  lives  shall  not  be  wantonly  or  stupidly 
sacrificed  by  placing  them  in  positions  where  they 
must  contend  with  the  foe  under  extraordinary  disad 
vantages. 

General  Ewing  and  Staff  and  Escort  arrived  here 
October  27th,  from  Neosho,  Missouri,  having  chased 
Shelby's  flying  columns  beyond  Cassville,  and  within 
a  few  miles  of  the  Arkansas  line.  The  enemy  kept 
breaking  up  into  so  many  small  detachments,  that  there 
was  not  much  of  a  force  to  pursue  towards  the  last. 
The  troops  are  all  returning,  and  will  go  to  their  regu 
lar  stations,  since  the  storm  that  has  swept  over  south 
west  and  central  Missouri  has  now  nearly  subsided. 
A  retrospect  of  the  recent  military  operations  in  Mis 
souri  shows  that  the  enemy  have  lost  more  by  the  in 
vasion  than  they  gained. 

The  supply   train  started  on  the  28th   instant  for 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  4:27 

Fort  Smith;  General  Blunt  accompanies  it.  The  es 
cort  is  composed  of  the  Second  Kansas  colored  infan 
try,  two  companies  of  the  Fourteenth  Kansas  cavalry, 
Captain  Smith's  battery  of  light  artillery  of  four  rifled 
guns,  one  battalion  of  the  Twelfth  Kansas  infantry, 
and  General  Blunt's  escort.  General  McNeil  and 
Colonel  Cloud  left  Springfield  about  three  days  ago, 
for  Fort  Smith,  and  will  not  likely  leave  undisturbed 
any  considerable  force  of  the  enemy  that  might  be  in 
northwestern  Arkansas.  On  account  of  the  rain  and 
snow-storm  which  has  prevailed  in  this  section  for 
several  days  past,  the  roads  are  heavy,  and  the  prog 
ress  of  the  train  will  be  slower  than  usual.  And  the 
infantry,  too,  will  find  it  disagreeable  marching.  A 
few  days'  march,  however,  will  bring  them  into  a  re 
gion  where  the  roads  are  firmer.  Some  of  the  troops 
going  down  now  will  have  seen  their  first  service  in. 
the  field.  But  they  have  had  sufficient  instruction  to 
become  acquainted  with  their  duties,  and  no  doubt 
will  make  good  soldiers. 

It  appears  from  dispatches  received  from  Fort  Smith 
that  the  scattered  forces  of  Generals  Cooper,  Marma- 
duke  and  Shelby  are  reorganizing,  and  making  prepa 
rations  to  march  against  that  place  with  about  nine 
thousand  men  and  eighteen  pieces  of  field  artillery. 
But  when  we  take  into  account  the  badly  demoralized 
condition  of  Cooper's  and  Shelby's  forces,  we  may 
conclude  that  such  an  army  cannot  be  called  into  ex 
istence  in  a  few  days,  nor  even  in  a  few  weeks.  While 
the  rebel  Generals  in  Arkansas  and  the  Indian  Terri- 


428  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

tory  may  be  able  shortly  to  collect  together  a  suffi 
cient  number  'of  troops  to  make  a  demonstration 
against  Fort  Smith,  it  is  not  at  all  probable  that  they 
can  organize  an  army  very  soon  of  such  strength  as 
will  enable  them  to  make  a  successful  assault,  assum 
ing  of  course  that  all  our  troops  in  the  vicinity  of  that 
place  have  been  concentrated  there,  and  would  be 
handled  to  the  best  possible  advantage.  We  have  got 
a  firm  footing  at  Fort  Smith,  and  will  be  able  to  hold 
western  Arkansas  and  the  Indian  country,  unless  our 
officers  make  some  unpardonable  blunder.  It  is  not 
likely  that  General  Marmaduke  will  be  permitted  to 
occupy  the  country  north  of  the  Arkansas  River  much 
longer.  Should  he  endeavor  to  confine  his  operations 
to  the  central  or  eastern  portion  of  the  State,  north  of 
the  river,  General  Steele,  commanding  an  army  at 
Little  Rock,  should  be  able  to  send  a  force  against  him 
and  compel  him  to  leave  that  section.  Or  if  he 
should  move  into  northwestern  Arkansas,  Generals 
Blunt  and  McNiel  will  look  after  him  very  closely, 
and  it  is  not  thought  that  he  or  General  Shelby  will 
attempt  to  make  another  raid  through  Missouri  at 
present. 


CHAPTEK  XXIII. 

All  quiet  along  the  Border— Lovely  Indian  Summer— Theory 
accounting  for  the  Smoky  condition  of  the  Atmosphere — 
Reprehensible  conduct  of  a  Detachment  on  scouting  service 
—Discussion  over  the  question,  "Who  shall  be  the  Com- 
manding  General  of  the  District  ?"— Rebel  guerrillas  in  the  vi 
cinity  of  Humboldt— Colonel  Moonlight  takes  command  of 
the  Fourteenth  Kansas  Cavalry— Lieutenant  Josling  on  a 
scout  to  Osage  Mission— A  Cold  Wave— Distressing  condition 
of  Refugees— General  Blunt  authorized  to  raise  another  Col 
ored  Regiment— Citizens  of  Fort  Scott  opposed  to  Colonel 
Jennison  taking  command  of  the  post— The  supply  train 
starts  S-outh— A  Military  Telegrefph  to  be  constructed  to  Fort 
Scott— Twelfth  Kansas  Infantry  en  route  to  Fort  Smith— Fed 
eral  expedition  towards  Texas— "Mountain  Federals"  in  Ar 
kansas—They  annoy  the  enemy. 

"We  are  able  to  welcome  the  first  day  of  No 
vember  with  the  expression,  "All  is  quiet  along  the 
Border."  There  have  been  very  few  days  during  the 
last  three  months  that  one  would  think  of  making 
such  a  remark.  It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  state  here 
that  we  need  not  congratulate  ourselves  with  the 
thought  that  this  peaceful  state  will  continue  very  long. 
Not  many  weeks  are  likely  to  elapse  before  we  shall 
hear  of  guerrilla  depredations  in  some  of  the  border 
counties,  causing  at  least  a  ripple  of  disturbance  in  the 


430  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

public  mind.  But  the  present  peaceful  condition  is  in 
admirable  harmony  with  our  lovely  "Indian  Sum 
mer,"  that  has  just  set  in.  The  whole  visible  horizon 
is  tinged  with  smoke,  as  if  we  were  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  a  great  conflagration.  .But  the  southwest 
breeze  is  soft  and  balmy,  and  altogether  one  could 
hardly  wish  for  a  more  delightful  season.  As  this  sec 
tion  is  all  prairie,  except  strips  of  timber  along  the" 
streams,  we  are  without  the  great  variety  of  autumnal 
tints,  presented  by  extensive  woodlands.  To  look  out 
over  our  broad  prairies  is  often  compared  to  looking 
out  over  the  ocean.  The  undulations  or  ridges  of  our 
prairies  take  the  place  of  waves  on  the  ocean. 

In  regard  to  the  smoky  condition  of  the  atmosphere 
during  "Indian  Summer,"  it  is  generally  thought,  in 
this  section,  to  be  caused  by  the  burning  of  the  grass 
from  the  extensive  prairie  regions  of  the  northwest. 
Though  the  breeze  is  from  the  southwest  to-day,  the 
smoke  came  with  a  chilly  northwest  wind.  And  the 
belief  that  it  is  caused  by  prairie  fires,  is  strengthened 
by  the  fact,  that  when  it  first  overspreads  the  country, 
particularly  if  there  is  a  little  more  than  the  usual 
amount  of  moisture  in  the  atmosphere,  the  smell  of 
burning  grass  is  distinctly  noticeable  by  those  having 
sensitive  olfactory  organs.  I  cannot  champion  this 
theory,  however,  for  the  smell  of  burnt  grass  might 
be  due  to  prairie  fires  in  the  neighborhood.  I 
am  riot  sure  that  the  number  of  square  miles  of 
prairie  in  the  northwest  denuded  of  grass  every 
year  by  fire,  would  produce  smoke  enough  to 


ON  THE   BORDER-1863.  431 

overspread  such  a  wide  region  as  we  have  to 
account  for. 

Captain  Willets,  of  the  Fourteenth  Kansas  cavalry, 
who  was  sent  out  several  days  ago  by  Colonel  Blair, 
on  scouting  service  in  the  direction  of  Lamar,  Mis 
souri,  returned  with  his  company  on  the  3rd, 
via  Osage  Mission,  Kansas.  He  found  no  enemy, 
"but,  from  accounts  that  have  reached  here,  he  per 
mitted  his  men  to  engage  in  disreputable  depredations, 
robbery  and  murder.  If  the  statements  made  in  re 
gard  to  the  matter  are  true,  he  deserves  severe  cen 
sure,  if  not  indeed  summary  dismissal  from  the  ser 
vice.  Gold  hunting  is  not  the  business  of  our  officers 
and  soldiers,  and  when  they  undertake  to  engage  in  it 
they  are  no  longer  lit  to  wear  the  blue  uniform  of  the 
United  States  Army.  There  are  too  many  officers  who 
do  not  appreciate  the  responsibility  resting  upon  them 
in  regard  to  controlling  the  actions  of  their  men.  Every 
officer  of  the  army  should  be  a  gentleman,  and  have 
proper  regard  for  his  position.  Several  scouts  who  have 
just  come  from  the  supply  train  which  General  Blunt 
accompanied  en  route  to  Fort  Smith  a  week  ago,  report 
that  near  the  Arkansas  line  four  of  our  soldiers  were 
captured  by  the  enemy.  There  was  no  prospect,  how 
ever,  of  the  rebel  force  under  Colonel  Brooks,  which 
was  at  Huntsville  recently,  attacking  the  train. 

There  is  some  discussion  just  now  as  to  whether 
General  Blunt  shall  retain  command  of  this  district 
or  not.  His  friends  claim  for  him,  also,  that  he  is  real 
ly  the  ranking  Major  General  in  the  Department,  as 


432  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

the  appointment  of  Schofield  as  a  Major  General  has 
not  yet  been  confirmed  by  the  United  States  Senate.  But 
this  continual  wrangling  of  politicians,  contractors,  and 
sutlers,  over  the  question  as  to  who  shall  command  the  de 
partment  and  each  of  the  different  districts  into  which  it 
is  divided,  does  not  tend  to  advance  the  interests  of 
the  public  service.  What  do  hangers-on  of  the  army 
care  for  the  efficiency  and  honesty  of  a  commanding 
officer,  if  they  can  get  permits  from  him  to  steal  cot 
ton  and  ship  it  north?  At  such  times  as  we  are  now 
passing  through,  complaints  are  just  about  as  likely 
to  be  made  against  an  honest  and  efficient  as  against  a 
dishonest  and  inefficient  commanding  General.  Our 
officers  holding  important  positions,  if  they  wish  to 
leave  the  service  with  clean  records,  cannot  be  too 
guarded  in  their  dealings  with  those  who  are  able  to 
present  credentials  from  men  of  high  social  and  polit 
ical  standing.  Money-making  adventurers  who  are 
profiting  by  the  misfortunes  of  the  country,  are,  every 
loyal  man  knows,  entitled  to  very  little  consideration 
from  those  who  are  conscientiously  endeavoring  to  as 
sist  the  Government  in  suppressing  the  rebellion. 

Information  was  received  on  the  7th  instant,  that 
rebel  guerrillas  are  getting  troublesome  again  in  the 
vicinity  of  Humboldt,  forty  miles  west  of  this  post.  It 
seems  that  they  have  burned  some  property  along  the 
Neosho  River  below  there,  besides  committing  some 
petty  depredations  on  the  property  of  the  loyal  citi 
zens  of  Allen  County.  Fears  are  entertained  that 
they  may  sack  and  burn  Humboldt,  as  we  have  no 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  433 

troops  stationed  there  at  present.  The  rebels  engaged 
in  these  depredations  are  supposed  to  be  a  part  of  Liv 
ingston's  old  band,  and  to  have  crossed  the  State  line 
near  Baxter  Springs,  and  marched  up  the  Keosho  val 
ley.  That  they  should  be  able  to  remain  in  the  State 
and  in  the  same  neighborhood  a  week  or  so,  is  a  little 
surprising.  General  Lane's  plan  of  burning  every 
thing  in  that  section  would  perhaps  be  the  most  effec 
tual  way  of  getting  rid  of  them.  But  the  people 
would  probably  protest  that  such  heroic  treatment  for 
the  cure  of  the  disease  would  be  worse  than  the  dis 
ease  itself. 

Colonel  Thomas  Moonlight  arrived  here  on  the  8th 
from  Leavenworth  to  take  command  of  his  regiment, 
the  Fourteenth  Kansas  cavalry.  He  is  determined  to 
have  it  thoroughly  armed  and  equipped  at  once,  and 
every  spare  moment  is  to  be  devoted  to  drilling  it,  so 
that  it  will  be  ready  to  go  south  with  the  next  train. 
He  is  a  brilliant  officer,  and  has  served  with  distinc 
tion,  as  Chief  of  General  Blunt's  Staff,  in  all  the  cam 
paigns  south  of  this  post.  No  better  officer  could  be 
found  to  thoroughly  prepare  a  cavalry  regiment  for 
the  field. 

Considerable  interest  has  been  manifested  by  the 
people  of  this  State  in  regard  to  the  election  for  State 
officers  in  Missouri,  which  took  place  on  the  3rd  in 
stant.  The  election  returns  have  nearly  all  been  re 
ceived  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  they  show  that 
the  Radical  or  Repulicaii  ticket  has  swept  the  State  by 
an  overwhelming  majority.  -  As  far  as  returns  have 


434  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

been  received  from  the  soldiers  in  the  field,  they  show 
from  their  vote  that  it  is  very  largely  republican.  It 
is  certainly  gratifying  to  contemplate  such  a  grand 
victory  for  great  principles,  in  view  of  the  disadvant 
ages  with  which  the  loyal  people  of  that  State  have 
had  to  contend. 

Lieutenant  B.  F.  Josling,  Fourteenth  Kansas  cav 
alry,  returned  to  this  post  on  the  evening  of  the  llth, 
with  a  detachment  of  his  company  from  Osage  Mis 
sion,  where  he  was  sent  several  days  ago  to  check  the 
depredations  of  a  band  of  guerrillas  that  recently  vis 
ited  that  section.  He  marched  over  the  country  al 
most  to  the  southern  line  of  the  State  in  search  of  the 
rebels  without  finding  them,  and  is  satisfied  from  such 
information  as  he  could  get,  that  alter  plundering  the 
Mission,  they  went  south. 

The  season  has  arrived  when  wintry  looking  clouds 
are  seen  scudding  across  the  sky.  When  these  lower 
ing  clouds  obscure  the  sun  now  and  then,  there  is  a 
kind  of  fascination  in  watching  the  dark  shadows  chase 
each  other  over  the  prairies  in  rapid  succession. 

A  cold  wave  right  from  the  arctic  regions  struck 
southern  Kansas  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  and  al 
ready  there  are  reports  of  great  suffering  among  the 
refugee  families  encamped  about  the  outskirts  of  the 
post.  The  Marmaton  River  is  frozen  over  solid,  which 
is  unusual  so  early  in  the  season.  There  is  a  larger 
number  of  refugee  families  in  this  vicinity  than  I  had 
supposed;  and  in  many  cases  their  condition  is  dis 
tressing.  Many  of  them  are  living  in  rude  tents  made 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  435 

of  bed  clothing,  or  material  of  a  very  unsubstantial 
nature.  Others  during  the  latter  part  of  summer  and 
early  autumn,  purchased  condemned  army  tents,  and 
are  making  the  best  of  them. .  But  there  are  not  many 
supplied  with  tents,  as  there  have  been  no  large  sales 
of  this  kind  of  condemned  public  property  at  this  post 
during  the  autumn.  Last  winter  1  thought  that  I 
saw  a  good  deal  of  suffering  among  the  refugees 
around  Colonel  Phillips'  camp,  but  it  did  not  equal 
the  suffering  in  our  midst  at  the  present  time.  In 
sufficient  fuel  for  heating  purposes,  and  scanty  cloth 
ing  and  covering  are  the  principal  causes  of  suffering 
among  these  people.  We  were  encamped  last  winter 
in  a  wooded  region,  and  the  refugees  could  build  great 
log  fires  to  keep  themselves  warm  during  intensely- 
cold  weather.  I  have  frequently  seen  them  standing 
around  their  blazing  fires,  with  wood  generously  piled 
on,  on  cold  nights,  with  expressions  of  real  happiness 
playing  over  their  countenances.  And  I  also  saw  rol 
licking  children  in  some  of  those  groups,  who  seemed 
wholly  unconscious  of  the  hardships  to  which  they 
were  exposed.  But  here  the  camp  of  the  refugee  is 
not  protected  from  the  chilling  effects  of  the  bleak 
northwest  winds  by  heavy  forests  and  bluffs,  as  it  was 
in  northwestern  Kansas.  Nor  can  the  refugees  here 
make  great  wood  fires,  like  the  fires  farmers  make  in 
heavily  wooded  sections  where  they  clear  tracts  of 
land  for  cultivation.  All  the  families  that  I  have  vis 
ited  recently,  burn  coal  in  cooking  stoves,  even  for 
heating  purposes.  And  as  most  of  the  stoves  I  saw 


436  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

seem  adapted  to  burning  wood  instead  of  coal,  these 
people  have  much  trouble  in  getting  their  coal  to  burn. 
At  any  rate  they  get  only  a  small  quantity  of  the 
heat  from  it  which  it  is  capable  of  producing  if 
burned  to  the  best  advantage.  Even  those  who  have 
stoves  in  which  it  burns  freely,  do  not  use  it  gener 
ously  on  account  of  their  straightened  circumstances. 
It  is  a  very  cheerless  sight,  one  that  I  shall  not  soon 
forget,  to  see  a  mother  and  half  a  dozen  children  shiv 
ering  around  a  stove  in  which  the  fuel  half  refuses  to 
burn,  or  is  used  in  stinted  quantities.  The  hardships 
and  privations  of  our  soldiers  in  the  field  are  often 
very  great,  but  the  hardships  and  suffering  of  many 
of  their  families  are  also  entitled  to  consideration,  and 
'should  not  be  passed  over  lightly.  It  will  be  surpris 
ing  to  me  if  there  is  not  a  great  mortality  during  the 
winter  among  these  people,  who  have  recently  exchang 
ed  plain  comfortable  homes  for  the  cheerless  tent,  in  a 
region  where  howling  winds  and  chilly  blasts  increase 
their  despondency. 

General  Blunt  has  received  authority  from  the 
War  Department  to  raise  another  colored  regiment  of 
infantry  from  this  State,  and  recruiting  officers  will  go 
to  work  at  once.  The  two  colored  regiments  already 
raised  from  Kansas,  have  taken  but  a  small  proportion 
of  the  able-bodied  colored  men  who  have  come  here 
the  last  two  years.  Many  of  them  will,  no  doubt, 
promptly  respond  to  the  present  call,  and  show  to  the 
country  that  they  feel  a  sufficient  interest  in  the  war 
to  take  up  arms  in  defense  of  the  Government  as  well 


ON  THE   BORDER.-1863.  437 

as  in  defense  of  their  permanent  freedom.  This  State, 
on  account  of  the  early  struggles  in  behalf  of  the  abo 
lition  cause,  has  been  an  asylum  for  the  colored  peo 
ple  since  the  beginning  of  the  war.  And  they  have 
shown  that  they  are  not  insensible  of  the  generous 
welcome  extended  to  them  by  our  people,  by  mani 
festing  a  patriotic  pride  in  furnishing  their  proportion 
of  soldiers  for  the  field,  as  soon  as  they  were  permit 
ted  to  enlist  in  the  United  States  service. 

There  have  been  some  recent  intimations  that  Colo 
nel  Jennison,  of  the  15th  Kansas  cavalry,  will  take 
command  of  this  post  shortly,  and  that  Colonel  Blair 
will  be  relieved  and  ordered  South  with  his  regiment. 
ColonelJennison  is  not  popular  in  this  section  of  the 
State,  and  should  he  be  assigned  to  the  command  of 
this  post,  it  is  likely  that  a  protest  will  be  sent  up  by 
the  citizens  to  the  commanding  General  of  the  De 
partment.  His  name  has  been  connected  on  several 
occasions  with  certain  transactions  that  are  not  sanc 
tioned  by  a  high  code  of  morals  and  strict  military 
discipline.  It  is  painful  to  make  these  remarks  in  re 
gard  to  a  man  whose  whole  heart  has  been  in  our 
cause.  But  when  he  comes  forward  to  occupy  an  im 
portant  and  conspicuous  position,  his  personal  charac 
ter  sluuld  be  carefully  and  dispassionately  examined 
and  held  up  to  the  public.  We  must  not  forget  that 
the  characters  of  our  public  men  will  have  an  immense 
influence  in  molding  the  character  of  the  men  of  the 
rising  generation.  Nor  should  we,  because  he  belongs 
to  our  party,  and  is  working  zealously  for  the  success 


438  MEMOIRS  OP  THE  REBELLION 

of  the  same  principles  that  we  are,  neglect  to  criticise, 
in  a  good  tempered  spirit,  his  short-comings.  I  am 
satisfied  that  Colonel  Jennison's  services  would  be 
more  valuable  to  the  Government  in  some  other  field. 
Should  he  make  a  perfectly  honorable  record  from  now 
to  the  end  of  the  war,  it  would  almost  wipe  out  the 
past. 

The  supply  train  started  south  on  the  20th  for  Fort 
Gibson  and  Forth  Smith,  but  will  encamp  on  Dry 
Wood  a  few  days  to  wait  for  the  paymaster  to 
come  down  and  pay  off  the  escort  before  they  leave. 
Most  of  the  escort  belongs  to  the  Fourteenth  Regi 
ment  Kansas  cavalry,  recently  organized,  and  as  a  large 
number  of  the  men  have  not  been  paid  since  enlistment, 
the  amounts  due  them  will  be  of  great  assistance  in  pro 
viding  for  the  wants  of  many  of  their  families  during 
the  coming  winter.  The  need  that  I  mentioned  last  sum 
mer,  of  some  method  by  which  the  soldiers  can  send 
their  salaries  to  their  families  with  perfect  safety,  is 
again  felt.  In  some  of  the  companies  nearly  all  of 
the  men  are  from  Missouri,  and  their  families  are  still 
living  in  that  State,  or  scattered  in  this  and  adjacent 
counties  of  Kansas.  The  money  they  send  home  will 
therefore  have  to  be  trusted  in  the  hands  of  friends, 
whom  they  cannot  hold  responsible  for  its  loss  by 
accident.  Some  of  the  officers  and  soldiers,  however, 
will  doubtless  avail  themselves  of  the  Exchange  Office 
here,  and  send  their  money  to  their  families  in  cheques. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  United  States  officials 
commenced  making  arrangements  to  construct  a  mili- 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  439 

tary  telegraph  line  between  Kansas  City  and  Fort 
Scott  immediately.  The  contract  for  telegraph  poles 
will  probably  be  let  in  a  few  days,  and  their  delivery 
along  the  route  commence  in  a  week  or  so.  This  line 
is  much  needed  in  directing  the  military  operations  of 
this  department.  Though  the  rebels  may  endeavor  to 
destroy  portions  of  it  occasionally,  it  is  thought  that  a 
small  cavalry  patrol  can  protect  it  quite  effectually. 
It  is  sure  to  prove  a  great  assistance  to  com 
manding  officers  along  the  border,  in  operating  against 
guerrilla  forces  when  they  become  troublesome  again. 
Had  this  line  been  in  operation  when  Quantrell  made 
his  raid  on  Lawrence  last  August,  troops  arid  citizens 
might  have  been  collected,  and  directed  to  take  up  such 
positions  as  would  have  made  his  escape  almost  im 
possible.  In  the  next  place,  had  the  line  been  in 
operation,  he  probably  never  would  have  made  the 
raid.  Even  if  the  Government  had  not  taken  the  mat 
ter  up,  it  would  have  been  a  good  investment  for  the 
citizens  of  Kansas  to  have  taken  hold  of  and  comple 
ted  at  an  early  day.  The  business  which  the  people 
of  this  section  will  wish  to  transact  over  the  line,  will, 
perhaps,  fully  pay  the  expense  of  operating  it. 

A  battalion  of  the  Twelfth  Kansas  infantry  came 
down  from  Kansas  City  on  the  27th  instant.  After 
remaining  here  a  few  weeks  it  will  march  to  Fort 
Smith  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Frontier.  This  regi 
ment,  since  its  organization,  has  been  on  duty  along 
the  border.  Colonel  Adams,  its  commanding  officer, 
is  General  Lane's  son-in-law,  and  has  perhaps  been  able 


4:10  MEMOIRS  OF  THE   REBELLION 

to  keep  it  from  going  to  the  front  until  now.  It  is  a 
fine  regiment;  the  men  are  well  drilled,  and  do  not 
wish  to  be  regarded  as  vain  "carpet  knights."  It  seems 
that  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hayes  has  attended  to  drilling- 
it  and  maintaining  its  high  order  of  discipline. 

Official  dispatches  received  at  this  post  on  the  28th 
from  Fort  Smith  state  that  General  McNeil,  who 
recently  took  command  of  our  troops  in  that  section, 
is  getting  them  in  readiness  to  start  on  an  expedition 
towards  Texas.  Our  forces  already  occupy  and  hold 
the  country  to  the  "Wichita  Mountains,  a  distance  of 
about  seventy-five  miles  south  of  the  Arkansas  river. 
The  activity  of  our  cavalry  over  the  mountainous 
regions  of  the  Choctaw  and  Chickasaw  nations  and 
southwestern  Arkansas,  has  broken  down  and  worn 
out  a  good  many  of  our  horses.  Since  our  troops  have 
occupied  the  country  south  of  the  Arkansas  river,  many 
of  the  Choctaw  and  Chickasaw  Indians  have  shown  a 
disposition  to  return  to  their  allegiance  to  the  Govern 
ment.  There  is  not,  however,  among  them,  such  a 
strong  sentiment  of  loyalty  and  real  affection  for  the 
Government,  as  among  the  Cherokees  and  Creeks. 
These  latter  people  have,  from  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  shown  their  devotion  to  the  United  States,  even 
under  the  most  adverse  circumstances.  The  battles  of 
Pothloholo,  chief  of  the  Creeks,  with  rebel  white  and 
Indian  troops,  during  the  winter  1861-2,  before  our 
forces  marched  into  the  Indian  country,  showed  a 
chivalrous  devotion  to  the  Union  cause.  When  the 
enemy  finally  became  too  strong  for  him,  rather  than 
submit  to  rebel  rule,  he  withdrew  his  forces  towards 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  441 

southern  Kansas,  and  nearly  ail  his  people  followed 
him  and  became  voluntary  exiles. 

Now  that  our  forces  occupy  the  central  and  western 
portions  of  Arkansas,  the  War  Department  has  author 
ized  the  raising  of  two  or  three  more  regiments  from 
that  State.  The  numerous  desertions  from  the  demor 
alized  armies  of  Generals  Cooper  and  Shelby,  and  the 
large  numbers  of  "  Mountain  Federals"  in  different 
sections  of  the  State,  will  enable  the  recruiting  officers 
to  get  the  complement  of  men  for  these  regiments  at 
an  early  day.  "  Mountain  Feds  "  is  a  name  given  to 
local  organizations  of  Union  men  who  occupy  moun 
tain  fastnesses  and  annoy  the  enemy,  somewhat  after 
the  same  manner  that  rebel  guerrillas  annoy  our 
troops.  There  is  this  difference,  however:  Rebel 
guerrilla  chiefs  generally  hold  commissions  from  the 
rebel  authorities,  while  the  chiefs  of  "  Mountain  Fed 
eral  "  organizations  are  endeavoring  to  hold  on  to  their 
lives  as  loyal  citizens  of  the  United  States,  until  our 
forces  can  occupy  the  country  and  afford  them 
adequate  protection.  We  do  not  know  that  they  have 
ever  been  charged  with  murdering  their  prisoners, 
like  some  of  the  guerrilla  bands  along  the  border. 

Martin  Hart,  a  prominent  Union  man  from  Hunt 
County,  in  Northern  Texas,  crossed  Red  River  several 
months  ago,  with  nearly  two  hundred  loyal  Texans, 
and  joined  our  forces  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Smith. 
He  has  for  more  than  a  year  past,  kept  alive  the  Union 
cause  in  Northern  Texas  and  Southwestern  Ar 
kansas.  He  was  finally  captured  south  of  Fort  Smith, 
an4  hung  by  the  rebel  authorities. 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

General  Grant  defeats  the  enemy  under  General  Bragg  near  Chat 
tanooga — Arrival  of  a  large  quantity  of  Cotton  from  Fort 
Smith— Supposed  crookedness  in  regard  to  it — Guerilla  bands 
in  Southwestern  Missouri — How  the  people  manage  to  keep 
good  Animals  in  some  instances — Temporary  suspension  in 
the  Exchange  of  Prisoners — General  Marmaduke,  with  two 
thousand  men,  near  the  Southern  line  of  Missouri — Perhaps 
the  last  supply  train  to  Fort  Smith — General  Ewing  orders 
the  seizure  of  the  Cotton  from  Fort  Smith— Snow  Storm — 
Removal  of  General  Schofield  probable — Quantrell's  forces 
cross  the  Arkansas  River  near  Fort  Gibson,  on  the  way 
North — "Were  defeated  by  Colonel  Phillips'  troops — General 
Price  threatens  Fort  Smith — Attempt  of  the  enemy  to  spike 
the  seige  guns  at  Fort  Scott — The  Missouri  militia  defeat 
Quantrell — A  large  Rebel  force  in  Southwest  Missouri — It 
is  driven  South — Concluding  Remarks. 

Another  great  battle  has  been  fought  between  the 
forces  of  General  Grant  and  General  Bragg,  at  Look 
out  Mountain,  above  the  clouds,  near  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee,  resulting  in  a  grand  victory  for  the  Union 
arms.  After  the  temporary  check  to  the  advance  of 
our  army  under  General  Rosecrans,  on  the  19th  and 
20th  of  September,  the  rebel  leaders  determined  to 
prevent  General  Grant  from  reinforcing  it,  and  to  use 
every  means  in  their  power  to  crush  it.  Jeff.  Davis  is 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  4A& 

reported  to  have  stated  recently,  that  Kosecrans'  army 
in  Northern  Georgia,  must  be  crushed,  if  it    took  all 
the  resources  of  the  Confederacy  to  do   it.     But  the 
rebel  leaders   should   begin  to  see  by  this   time,  that 
when  General  Grant  takes   command  of  any   grand 
division  of  our  army  in  any  section,  it  is  sure  to  win. 
His  presence  on  the  field  inspires  the  troops  with  con 
fidence   of  victory.     This  confidence  enables  men  to- 
brave  dangers,  endure  hardships,  and  to  perform  heroic 
actions,  which  they  could  not  endure  or  perform  un 
der  depressed   states  of  their   nervous  systems.     If  a 
man  feels  that  he  is  going  to  get  knocked  down  every 
time  he  meets   his  antagonist  in  a   contest,  he  is  not 
likely    to   come    to   the   "scratch"    each    succeeding 
round,  after  the  second  or  third,  with   much  alacrity 
and  buoyancy.     So  with  the  enemy.     They  have  been 
knocked  down  so  many  times  during  the  last  year,  that 
they  are  beginning  to  come  to  the  "scratch"  with  falter 
ing  steps.     In  the  battle  at  Lookout  Mountain  or  Chat 
tanooga,  the  other  day,  according  to  the  despatches,  they 
lost  six  thousand  prisoners  and  thirty  pieces  of  artil 
lery,  and  about  four  thousand  men  killed  and  wounded. 
The  great  battles  fought  in  the  East  and  in  Tennes 
see,  send  a  thrill  of  joy  and  gladness,  or  grief  and  dis 
appointment,  according  as  they  have  been  favorable  or 
unfavorable   to  our  arms,  through  thousands  of  loyal 
hearts  even  at  this  great  distance   from  the  scenes  of 
operation.     Smaller  battles  affect  us  in  minor  degrees, 
until  the  smallest  do  not  cause  even  a  ripple  upon  con 
sciousness. 


444  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

A  large  sutler's  train  arrived  on  the  2d  of  December 
from  Fort  Smith,  via  Fort  Gibson,  loaded  principally 
with  cotton,  alleged  to  have  been  purchased  and  cap 
tured  from  the  enemy  during  General  McNeil's  expe 
dition  towards  Red  River.  It  is  whispered  that  there 
is  some  crookedness  in  regard  to  the  manner  in  which 
^certain  speculators  came  into  possession  of  this  cotton. 
Speculators  following  the  army  and  purchasing  cotton 
•of  pretended  loyal  owners,  or  disloyal  owners,  may 
find  their  titles  contested  by  Government  agents,  who 
are  commissioned  to  look  after  such  matters.  Sharks 
following  the  army,  like  sharks  following  a  ship, 
should  be  watched,  and  not  permitted  to  appropriate 
our  valuable  trophies.  And  in  the  present  case, 
there  should  perhaps  be  an  investigation  to  determine 
whether  or  not  this  cotton  has  been  purchased  in  a 
legal  manner.  It  would  be  more  just  that  its  proceeds 
should  be  distributed  to  the  soldiers,  who  captured  it, 
as  prize  money,  than  that  it  should  go  into  the  pockets 
of  sharpers.  If  rebel  planters  have  left  their  planta 
tions,  and  their  cotton  has  fallen  into  our  hands  as  con 
traband  property,  the  Government  should  get  the 
market  price  for  it,  and  speculators  not  allowed  to  pick 
it  up  for  merely  nominal  sums,  as  they  are  reported  in 
some  cases  to  have  been  doing.  As  our  armies  are 
now  getting  into  the  cotton-raising  regions,  the  reve 
nues  of  the  Government  during  the  year,  from  the 
sales  of  contraband  cotton,  should,  if  carefully,  intel 
ligently  and  honestly  looked  after,  amount  to  several 
millions  of  dollars.  It  would  be  easy  enough  for  our 


ON  THE  BORDER.-1863.  445 

supply  trains,  that  come  up  empty  every  month,  to 
bring  up  contraband  cotton,  for  shipment  to  Leaven- 
worth  and  Saint  Louis,  where  there  would  be  a  market, 
for  it.  It  is  possible,  however,  that  the  Arkansas 
River  will  soon  be  open  to  navigation,  then  it  can  be 
shipped  by  steamboat  tD  Saint  Louis,  and  thence  by 
rail  to  New  York  and  Eastern  manufacturing  cities. 
It  can  be  used  to  good  advantage  as  breastworks 
on  the  boats,  to  protect  the  troops  and  crews  fromi 
the  fire  of  guerillas  at  different  points  along  the- 
river. 

The  peaceful  condition  of  things  which  has  existed 
for  several  weeks  past  along  the  border  has  been 
slightly  disturbed  by  the  appearance  of  guerrilla 
bands  in  Southwest  Missouri  on  the  3d  instant.  But 
they  will  probably  soon  find  it  an  uncomfortable  sec 
tion  to  operate  in,  as  most  of  the  militia  have  returned 
to  their  stations  since  Shelby's  raid,  and  are  ready  to< 
take  the  field  against  them.  At  the  different  posts  in 
Missouri,  the  horses  of  the  State  troops  are  generally 
in  good  condition,  as  they  are  rarely  or  never  short 
of  forage.  I  mentioned  last  spring,  from  my  own  ob 
servations,  how  the  people  manage  to  raise  the  neces 
saries  of  life,  even  in  localities  where  the  men  are  all 
absent,  in  either  the  Union  or  rebel  army.  The  peo 
ple  have  clung  to  their  homes  with  wonderful  tena 
city,  and  when  the  army  has  burned  a  portion  of  the 
rails  around  their  farms,  they  have  generally  taken 
those  left  to  inclose  smaller  tracts  of  their  lands  for 
cultivation.  And  while  the  acreage  of  nearly  every- 


446  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

family  has  thus  been  contracted,  the  means  of  cultivation 
have  also  been  contracted  in  about  the  same  ratio.  In 
stead  of  each  family  having  from  one  to  a  dozen  tine 
horses  and  mules  to  put  into  their  fields,  as  in  ante 
bellum  times,  it  is  a  rare  occurrence  now  to  find  a 
family  with  more  than  two  or  three  horses  or  mules, 
which  are  generally  either  old  or  blind.  Families 
sometimes  try  to  keep  their  horses  concealed  in  the 
woods,  but  this  is  not  very  successful  as  a  general 
thing.  The  great  temptation  to  keep  good,  vigorous 
animals,  it  has  been  suggested,  has  in  a  number  of  in 
stances,  led  to  the  putting  out  of  the  eyes  of  desirable 
horses  or  mules.  It  is  a  cruel  charge  to  insinuate 
were  there  no  extenuating  circumstances.  But  a 
mother  with  half  a  dozen  children  around  her,  and  her 
husband  away  in  either  the  Union  or  Rebel  army, 
might,  rather  than  take  the  chances  of  being  reduced 
to  the  extremity  of  seeing  them  suffer,  permit  a  young 
son,  overflowing  with  a  desire  to  do  something  heroic, 
to  destroy  the  sight  of  "Charley,"  the  good,  reliable 
family  horse.  Besides  being  needed  to  cultivate  and 
gather  the  crop,  a  horse  is  quite  indispensable  to  take 
the  grain,  wheat  or  corn,  to  the  mill,  and  to  fetch  back 
the  flour  or  meal.  In  view  of  what  I  have  seen  of  the 
straits  to  which  families  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas 
are  reduced  to  get  along,  I  cannot  find  it  in  my  heart 
to  condemn  an  act  like  the  above,  which,  in  peaceful 
times,  would  justly  be  regarded  as  cruel  and  barbarous. 
It  appears  by  the  latest  dispatches  from  Washing 
ton,  that  there  is  to  be  a  temporary  suspension  of  the 


ON  THE  BORDER-1863.  447 

exchanging  of  prisoners  of  war  between  the  Federal 
and  Rebel  authorities.  At  this  distance,  it  is  hardly 
safe  to  form  a  very  pronounced  opinion  as  to  the  wis 
dom  of  the  Government  in  adopting  such  a  course, 
unless  the  rebel  authorities  are  unwilling  to  exchange 
on  equal  terms.  It  is  surely  cause  for  deep  regret  and 
even  indignation,  to  constantly  hear  of  the  great  suf 
ferings  of  our  soldiers  in  rebel  prisons,  while  rebel  sol 
diers  in  our  prisons  are  provided  with  full  rations  and 
all  the  comforts  that  our  soldiers  in  the  field  have.  It 
is  also  announced  that  the  rebel  Government  refuses 
to  exchange  colored  soldiers  held  as  prisoners  of  war 
for  rebel  prisoners  that  we  hold.  It  is,  perhaps,  an  un 
looked-for  humiliation,  that  it  has  come  to  pass  that 
the  life  of  a  rebel  soldier  is  worth  no  more  than 
the  life  of  a  plantation  negro.  But  if  they  regard  a 
rebel  soldier  that  we  hold  as  worth  more  to  their  cause 
than  the  colored  prisoner  they  have  captured  from  us, 
they  should,  to  be  consistent,  be  extremely  anxious  to 
exchange.  They  would  not  hesitate  to  exchange  an 
old  and  inferior  musket  for  one  of  our  best  new  pat 
terns.  If  they  can  afford  to  weaken  their  own  cause 
by  pride,  we  surely  need  not  regret  it.  They  are  too 
blind  to  see  that  they  are  fluttering  around  the  lamp 
of  their  own  destruction. 

A  dispatch  from  Springfield,  Missouri,  of  the  6th 
instant,  states  that  General  Marmaduke,  with  a  force 
of  about  two  thousand  men  and  several  pieces  of  artil 
lery,  was,  on  the  3d  instant,  encamped  on  White  River 
in  Arkansas,  near  the  southern  line  of  Missouri.  It 


448  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

is  believed  that  he  either  intends  to  make  a  raid  on 
Springfield,  or  to  endeavor  to  capture  our  supply 
trains  en  route  between  that  place  and  Fort  Smith. 
There  are,  probably,  nearly  three  thousand  State 
troops  in  southwest  Missouri,  and  should  he  invade 
the  State,  they  will  likely  soon  to  be  able  to  check  his 
movements,  and  put  him  to  flight.  The  energy  with 
which  they  pressed  General  Shelby  last  October,  and 
their  success  in  capturing  his  artillery,  has  given  them 
great  confidence  in  their  ability  to  meet  an  invading 
force  on  the  field. 

General  Blunt  is  still  at  Fort  Smith,  but  apparently 
without  a  command,  much  to  the  regret  of  his  friends. 
He  is,  however,  attending  to  some  business  in  connec 
tion  with  the  recruiting  and  organizing  of  the  Eleventh 
U.  S.  colored  regiment.  A  colored  regiment  ought  to  be 
raised  in  that  section  in  a  few  weeks.  It  is  not  likely, 
however,  that  he  cares  to  assume  command  of  the 
troops  there  at  present,  as  there  is  no  organized  force 
of  the  enemy  in  that  section  that  he  could  hope  to 
bring  to  an  engagement  very  soon,  though  Price's  army 
occasionally  assumes  a  threatening  attitude. 

The  supply  train  for  Fort  Smith  moved  out  on  the 
morning  of  December  13th,  under  command  of  Colo 
nel  W.  R.  Judson,  Sixth  Kansas  cavalry.  He  will 
have  as  an  escort,  including  the  six  companies  of  the 
Twelfth  Kansas  infantry  under  Lieut.-Colonel  Plays, 
about  eight  hundred  men.  He  will  go  down  through 
the  border  counties  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas,  instead 
of  through  the  Nation  via  Fort  Blunt.  This  will 


ON  THE    BORDER-1863. 

probably  be  the  last  train  from  this  place  to  Fort 
Smith,  as  it  is  thought  that  Little  Rock  will  immedi 
ately  be  made  a  base  of  supplies  for  the  army  in 
Arkansas.  The  distance  from  Little  Rock  to  Fort 
Smith  is  not  so  great  as  the  distance  from  Fort  Smith 
to  this  post.  And  it  is  probable,  too,  that  in  a  month 
or  so,  light  draft  steamers  can  run  on  the  Arkansas 
River,  and  thus  save  overland  transportation  of  sup 
plies  to  the  Army  of  the  Frontier.  Colonel  Phillips' 
Indian  division  at  Fort  Gibson,  however,  will  perhaps 
continue  to  be  supplied  from  this  place,  at  any  rate  un 
til  the  spring  rise  in  the  Arkansas  River  will  enable 
boats  to  pass  Webber's  Falls.  As  no  large  force  of 
the  enemy  can  cross  to  the  north  side  of  the  Arkansas 
River  without  our  commanding  officers  at  Forts  Smith 
and  Gibson  knowing  it;  and  as  his  trains  will  pass 
over  a  route  little  infested  with  guerrillas,  they  will  not 
require  very  large  escorts  and  batteries  of  light  artil 
lery,  as  last  spring,  to  conduct  them  through  safely. 
This  post  will  henceforward  be  of  less  importance  in 
a  military  point  of  view.  Still,  the  immense  quantities 
of  ordnance,  quartermaster  and  commissary  stores 
kept  here,  will  make  it  of  sufficient  importance  to  keep 
a  force  here  adequate  to  its  protection. 

A  dispatch  from  Kansas  City  states  that  General 
Ewing  recently  ordered  the  seizure  of  the  cotton  which 
passed  through  this  place  on  the  2d  instant  lor  Leav 
en  worth.  It  is  also  reported  that  agents  of  the  Gov 
ernment  are  on  the  lookout  for  more  contraband  cot 
ton.  This  action  of  General  Ewing  is  highly  corn- 
29 


450  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

mendable,  and  may  have  a  wholesome  effect  on  the 
army  vultures  who  are  always  on  hand  to  gorge  them 
selves  on  the  hard-earned  prizes  of  our  soldiers. 

The  morning  of  the  20th  the  ground  was  covered 
with  four  or  five  inches  of  snow,  and  the  jingling  of 
sleigh-bells  reminded  us  that  we  were  approaching  our 
Kansas  mid-winter.  From  the  statements  of  those  who 
have  lived  in  this  vicinity  for  upwards  of  twenty 
years,  it  seems  that  we  are  having  a  little  severer 
season  than  usual.  The  river  had  scarcely  got  clear  of 
ice  from  the  cold  wave  of  the  tenth  of  November,  when 
it  was  frozen  over  again  on  the  18th  instant.  As  a 
general  thing  the  winters  are  so  mild  here  that  the 
ice  does  not  form  on  the  river  two  inches  in  thickness, 
and  ice-dealers  are  unable  to  put  up  enough  to  satisfy 
the  demands  of  consumers.  Altogether  our  climate 
may  be  regarded  as  desirable;  for  during  the  summer 
months  our  southwest  breezes  are  pure  and  exhilara 
ting,  reaching  us  always  after  having  passed  through 
the  cool  strata  of  the  atmosphere  over  the  high  pla 
teaus  of  Mexico  and  the  Rocky  Mountains.  There  are 
here  none  of  those  debilitating  eifects  produced  by  a 
humid  atmosphere  in  low  marshy  regions.  Though 
the  bracing  winds  blowing  over  our  vast  undulating 
prairies  may  have  no  perceptible  effect  on  the  energies 
of  our  people  in  a  year  or  so,  I  think  they  will  un 
questionably  in  the  course  of  a  few  generations.  They 
will  probably  tend  to  make  them  wiry  and  muscular, 
instead  of  pulpy  and  clumsy,  like  the  people  of  a  re 
gion  where  the  air  is  saturated  with  moisture. 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  451 

There  is  a  strong  probability  that  the  agitation  for 
the  removal  of  General  Schofield  from  the  command 
of  this  department  will  be  successful  in  a  short  time. 
He  has  not  been  popular,  and  is  perhap^  not  the  best 
officer  that  could  have  been  placed  at  the  head  of  this 
military  department,  but  that  he  should  have  been 
able  to  give  satisfaction  to  the  factions  in  Missouri  and 
the  factions  in  Kansas,  is  more  than  any  intelligent 
person  should  expect.  That  President  Lincoln  should 
have  all  along  had  confidence  in  him  is  surely  a  good 
deal  in  his  favor,  though  it  does  not  necessarily  make 
him  a  competent  commanding  general. 

A  detachment  of  about  fifteen  men  arrived  at  this 
post  on  the  24th  from  Fort  Gibson,  and  they  report 
that  the  enemy  are  again  showing  some  activity  in  that 
vicinity  and  along  the  Arkansas  line.  They  also  state 
that  QuantrelPs  force  is  believed  to  be  en  route  to 
Jackson  county,  Missouri,  where  he  will  commence  his 
diabolical  business  again.  A  force,  reported  to  be  his 
and  Standwaitie's,  had  a  lively  fight  with  a  portion  of 
Colonel  Phillips'  command  near  Fort  Gibson  about  a 
week  ago,  and  were  defeated  and  scattered  in  every 
direction.  As  the  engagement  took  place  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Arkansas  River,  it  is  thought  their  broken 
detachments  have  moved  northward. 

A  dispatch  just  received  from  Fort  Smith,  Arkan 
sas,  states  that  General  Price  is  collecting  his  forces 
together  and  threatening  to  attack  that  place.  It  does 
not  seem  probable,  however,  that  he  will  be  able  to 
organize,  out  of  the  Trans-Mississippi  rebel  forces,  an 


452  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

army  sufficiently  strong  to  drive  our  troops  from  west 
ern  Arkansas,  if  General  McNeil  handles  them  skill 
fully.  Including  Colonel  Phillips'  Indian  division,  we 
have  an  army  of  about  eight  thousand  men  in  that 
section,  well  supplied  with  artillery.  The  army  under 
General  Steele,  at  Little  Rock,  is  also  within  co-opera 
ting  distance,  should  the  rebel  generals  concentrate  all 
their  troops  in  Arkansas,  to  attack  General  McNeil  at 
Fort  Smith.  Though  the  enemy  may  make  a  bold 
demonstration,  since  he  is  holding  no  particular  place 
in  Arkansas,  yet  it  is  not  generally  thought,  from  a 
survey  of  the  field  of  operations,  that  he  will  at  pres 
ent  risk  a  general  engagement  with  our  victorious 
troops.  It  is  not  therefore  probable  that  General  Price 
will  be  able  to  fulfill  his  promise  in  regard  to  treating 
his  soldiers  with  a  Christmas  dinner  from  Federal  ra 
tions  at  Fort  Smith.  His  troops,  instead  of  being  the 
victorious  legions  of  a  hundred  battles,  have  been  so 
often  defeated  that  it  is  not  easy  to  conceive  with  what 
new  hope  they  can  be  inspired  to  undertake  a  vigorous 
campaign  against  our  soldiers,  flushed  with  a  continu 
ous  series  of  successes. 

An  attempt  was  made  on  the  night  of  the  28th, 
by  an  emissary  of  the  enemy  to  spike  one  of  the  Twen 
ty-four  pounder  stsige  guns  mounted  at  Lunette  "0.  W. 
Blair."  The  party  was  probably  disturbed  by  the 
guard  on  his  beat  walking  to  and  fro,  as  he  left  a  rat- 
tail  file  and  hammer  on  the  gun,  before  completing  his 
work  to  render  it  useless.  Nothing  has  been  found 
which  would  identify  the  party  engaged  in  this  bold 


ON  THE  BORDER— 1863.  453 

adventure.  Colonel  Blair  has  the  four  seige  guns  in 
the  Forts  here  carefully  inspected  every  day  that  they 
may  be  in  perfect  order  in  case  of  an  emergency.  The 
hundreds  of  tons  of  hay  put  up  in  long  ricks,  the  thou 
sands  of  bushels  of  corn  in  cribs,  and  the  large  quan 
tities  of  ammunition  and  arms,  of  quartermaster  and 
commissary  supplies  here,  are  great  temptations  for 
the  enemy  to  attempt  a  raid  on  this  post  for  the  des 
truction  of  this  property.  And  it  will  require  great 
vigilance  on  the  part  of  the  post  commander  to  pre 
vent  its  destruction  by  secret  rebel  emmissaries.  This 
post  having  been  the  chief  center  of  our  military  op 
erations  west  of  Saint  Louis  since  the  war,  and  the 
Government  having  kept  a  considerable  force  station 
ed  here,  have  prevented  any  serious  inroads  of  the 
enemy  into  southern  Kansas.  Our  people  in  this  and 
adjoining  counties  have  therefore  pursued  their  usual 
avocations  as  in  times  of  profound  peace.  E"or  have 
guerrilla  bands  been  so  troublesome  in  Yernon  county, 
Missouri,  directly  east  of  us,  as  in  the  counties  north 
and  south  ot  it. 

It  is  now  known  that  Quantrell's  force,  after  it 
was  attacked  and  dispersed  by  Colonel  Phillips'  troops 
some  ten  days  ago,  continued  to  move  northeast.  In 
a  few  days  after  this,  however,  he  collected  together 
his  scattered  detachments,  and  about  the  24th  instant 
€ame  in  contact  with  a  considerable  force  of  the  Mis 
souri  militia  cavalry,  near  the  Arkansas  line,  and  was 
again  badly  beaten  and  vigorously  pursued.  But  his 
force  soon  broke  up  into  small  detachments  again,  and 


454  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

it  is  believed  to  be  their  intention  to  rally  at  some 
point  in  this  vicinity,  with  the  view  of  attacking  this 
place.  He  is  after  big  game.  If  he  could  capture 
and  destroy  this  place,  he  knows  that  it  would  add  to 
his  notoriety  as  much  as  the  Lawrence  massacre. 
Colonel  Blair  has  sent  out  detachments  of  cavalry  to 
the  south  and  southeast  of  this  post,  so  that  we  shall 
soon  know  whether  he  is  intending  to  attack  us  here,, 
or  is  making  preparations  for  a  raid  into  Southern  Kan 
sas.  It  is  reported  that  Quantrell  has  threatened  to 
visit  this  State  before  he  goes  south  again,  and  to  leave 
a  track  more  bloody  than  Lawrence,  and  the  section  he 
"passes  over  as  desolate  as  the  naked  prairies.  He  seems 
to  glory  in  his  savage  cruelty,  and  of  being  a  terror  to 
the  loyal  people  of  the  border,  just  like  an  uncivilized 
Indian  who  is  proud  of  the  number  of  scalps  he  carries. 
That  a  man  born  and  brought  up  in  the  great  State  of 
Maryland,  one  of  our  oldest  States,  as  Quantrell  was, 
with  fair  advantages,  should  head  a  band  of  fiends, 
is  quite  unaccountable  to  many.  But  that  he  should 
get  followers  in  western  Missouri  is  not  so  stranger 
since  it  is  well  known  to  those  who  have  lived  in  the 
West  that,  for  nearly  twenty  years,  the  extensive 
freighting  business  from  Independence  and  Kansas 
City,  to  New  Mexico  and  other  Western  Territoriesr 
has  attracted  to  the  two  former  places  adventurers 
and  desperate  characters  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 
Three  bushwhackers  are  reported  to  have  been  killed 
on  December  28th,  near  Humboldt,  on  the  Neosho 
River,  forty  miles  west  of  this  post.  They  belonged 


ON  THE   BORDER— 1863.  455 

to  the  party  which  were  in  that  section  about  a  month 
ago,  committing  depredations  on  the  property  of  loyal 
people.  In  different  sections  of  this  State  there  still 
may  be  found  a  few  of  those  who  were  connected  with 
the  pro-slavery  movement,  and  who  came  here  under 
the  Territorial  regime,  to  make  Kansas  a  slave  State. 
Nearly  all  the  old  pro-slavery  element  is  of  course  dis 
loyal,  and  the  men  belonging  to  it  who  have  not  ac 
tually  gone  South,  sympathize  with  and  shield  their 
friends,  when  they  return  home  or  come  into  this 
State.  A  company  of  cavalry  will  be  stationed  at 
Humboldt  during  the  rest  of  the  winter,  and  it  will 
keep  detachments  patrolling  the  country  along  the 
Neosho  Kiver  below  that  place,  extending  to  the  south 
ern  line  of  the  State. 

Colonel  Blair  received  information  on  the  night  of 
the  30th,  that  a  force  of  the  enemy,  about  fifteen  hun 
dred  strong,  under  Colonel  Coffey,  was  encamped  on 
Cowskin  prairie,  in  the  southwest  corner  of  McDonald 
County,  Missouri,  a  few  days  ago.  It  is  not  thought, 
however,  that  they  will  be  able  to  march  up  the  border 
counties  of  Missouri,  as  the  militia  are  in  considera 
ble  force  in  the  counties  east  and  northeast  of  McDon 
ald  County,  and  have  probably  moved  against  them 
already.  The  party  of  rebels  that  were  in  the  vicinity 
of  Humboldt  recently,  it  is  now  supposed  belonged  to 
Coffey 's  command.  After  passing  Dry  Wood,  twelve 
miles  south  of  this  post,  we  have  no  other  troops  sta 
tioned  in  Southern  Kansas,  and  the  pressure  from 
Missouri  having  pushed  the  enemy  into  the  Cherokee 


4:56  MEMOIRS   OF  THE    REBELLION 

Nation,  several  small  detachments  were  able  to  march 
up  the  Neosho  River,  fifty  to  sixty  miles,  without  re 
sistance.  The  main  body  of  Quantrell's  men  is  re 
ported  to  be  with  Ooffey,  though  some  detachments  of 
them  are  supposed  to  have  passed  near  here  several 
days  ago,  on  their  way  to  Cass  and  Jackson  Counties. 
It  is  not  likely,  however,  that  they  will  find  that  sec 
tion  very  congenial  during  a  severe  winter ;  besides  the 
headquarters  of  General  Ewing,  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  District  of  the  Border,  is  at  Kansas  City, 
adjacent  to  the  region  in  which  Quantrell  has  been  op 
erating  since  the  war.  We  may  therefore  hope  that 
they  will  be  speedily  driven  south  again. 

The  old  year  is  now  drawing  to  a  close.  The  bor 
der  counties  of  Missouri  and  Kansas  are  comparative 
ly  free  of  guerrillas;  and  the  forces  of  Coffey  and 
Quantrell  are  now  doubtless  sullenly  retiring  beyond 
the  mountains  in  Arkansas  or  the  Indian  Country. 
Our  armies  have  been  ..victorious  upon  almost  every 
important  field,  and  thpugh  I  have  been  obliged  to  note 
some  domestic  dissensions,  I  am  fully  convinced  that 
the  national  feeling  and  love  and  attachment  for  the 
old  flag  of  our  fathers  has  grown  stronger.  But  the 
Goddess  of  Liberty  may  weep,  since  a  sea  of  blood 
arid  tears  have  been  shed  in  her  defense.  I  have  endeav 
ored  to  faithfully  chronicle  the  most  important  events 
connected  with  the  operations  of  our  army  along  the 
border  during  the  year.  I  hope  that  I  have  not  given, 
in  a  single  case,  an  extravagant  and  sensational  account 
of  the  number  of  the  enemy  killed  and  wounded  in  a 


ON   THE   BORDER-1863  45 T 

certain  engagement;  or  of  the  crimes  and  cruelties  of 
guerrillas.  I  was  early  put  on  my  guard  in  respect 
to  making  exaggerated  statements  about  various  mat 
ters  connected  with  that  division  of  the  army  to  which 
I  belonged.  I  am  perfectly  aware  that  a  work  filled 
with  highly-colored  statements  is  more  greedily  read 
by  a  large  class  of  the  public,  than  one  containing 
plain  solid  facts;  yet  I  do  not  regret  the  course  that  I 
have  followed;  for  I  do  not  fear  to  appeal  to  the 
common  sense  and  honesty  of  those  with  whom 
I  have  served  in  this  great  struggle,  to  bear  me 
out  in  my  statements.  There  are  no  doubt  instances 
in  which  I  have  not  -done  full  justice  to  officers  and 
troops.  I  regret  it  even  more  than  the  injustice 
which  was  done  to  me. 

This  attempt  to  commemorate  the  actions  of  our 
brave,  honest  and  simple-hearted  soldiers,  in  this  cen 
tral  part  of  our  great  country,  geographically  speak 
ing,  has  been  to  me  a  source  of  considerable  satisfac 
tion;  for  I  believe  that  the  greit  contest  in  which  we 
are  engaged  will  be  more  worthy  the  study  of  future 
generations  than  all  the  wars  of  the  past.  And  then  the 
thought  comes  into  my  mind,  will  not  the  millions  of 
people  who  will  inhabit  these  western  prairies,  plains, 
and  fertile  valleys,  during  coming  generations,  wish  to 
know  something  of  the  fierce  storms  that  raged  along  our 
borders  during  the  great  rebellion  of  the  slave-owning 
section  of  our  country?  The  history  of  the  world  does 
not  furnish  another  instance  of  a  million  of  men 
in  arms  fighting  for  a  great  principle — a  principlej 


458  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  REBELLION 

too,  involving  the  right  of  each  to  "  life,  liberty 
and  the  pursuit  of  happiness."  It  is  surely  a  grand 
thought  to  contemplate  their  heroic  actions,  for. 
unless  the  conception  of  justice  changes,  future  gener 
ations  can  point  to  their  achievements  and  say  "those 
men  fought  for  a  principle,  the  triumph  of  which 
has  secured  to  us  the  blessings  we  enjoy."  I  can 
not  bid  farewell  to  the  expiring  year  without  my 
thoughts  turning  with  sadness  to  the  thousands  of 
brave  and  patriotic  soldiers  who,  during  this  contest, 
have  devoted  their  lives  to  their  country  and  to  pos 
terity;  and  to  other  thousands  who  lie  at  this  moment 
upon  beds  of  pain  and  anguish, .with  their  flesh  torn 
and  mangled  by  shot  and  shell  and  small  arms;  and 
to  still  other  thousands  whose  hearts  are  torn  and 
bleeding  on  account  of  the  loss  of  those  in  the  war 
who  were  dearest  to  them  on  earth. 

But  firmly  believing  that  we  are  near  the  dawn  of  a 
brighter  day,  when  the  noble  sacrifices  of  our  soldiers 
will  be  universally  acknowledged  not  to  have  been  in 
vain.  I  can  simply  say,  OLD  YEAR,  I  bid  you  farewell ! 


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